CUPID'S BOW (MADARIS SERIES Book 2)

by Brenda Jackson

  That night Kimara sensed something different in the way Kyle made love to her. Although it was still mind-consuming and shattering, it was gentler than ever before. And when he held her, it was as if he didn’t want to let go.

  As she lay in his arms after he’d drifted off to sleep, a feeling of joy bubbled deep within her and a warm inner glow flowed through her. She knew in her heart and soul that sometime during their two-week stay at Special K their child had been conceived.

  Special K had lived up to its name.

  “Welcome back, girlfriend.”

  Kimara and Nicky embraced warmly as they stood in the middle of Kimara’s office. Nicky took a step back to assess her friend. “There’s something different about you, some kind of special glow. I think marriage truly agrees with you, Kim.”

  Kimara smiled at Nicky’s compliment. She refused to dwell on the fact that her marriage was rather unique. It wasn’t a marriage in name only; it was a marriage in baby only. She had been back in Atlanta for two days and was already back at work. Kyle had gotten called away on business to his branch office in Virginia. He’d caught the plane that morning and wouldn’t be returning for a couple of days.

  She smiled deeply. “Thanks for thinking that marriage agrees with me, but considering the circumstances, I’d think you of all people would know better.” Nicky was the only person she’d confided in about the conditions of Poppa Garwood’s will.

  “Circumstances have a way of changing over time,” Nicky hinted, smiling.

  Kimara chuckled. “Perhaps. But I’m not going to get my hopes up about anything, especially my marriage to Kyle.”

  “And the baby?”

  Kimara’s smile widened. She placed a hand on her stomach. “We did it.”

  Nicky’s eyes widened. “You’re pregnant? But how do you know so soon?”

  “I won’t know for sure for a couple of weeks,” Kimara said softly. “But in my heart, I know.”

  Nicky smiled, happy for her friend. “Where’s Kyle?”

  “He’s out of town on business and won’t be back until Friday night, which is just as well,” Kimara said, smiling. “I have a lot of stuff to unpack and Kyle has a tendency to be a distraction.”

  Kyle being a distraction was putting it mildly, she thought, thinking of yesterday and how it had taken her half a day to unpack her luggage, something that should have taken less than thirty minutes at most. They’d spent more time making love than unpacking. She couldn’t help but wonder what Mrs. Glass, the housekeeper, thought of her and Kyle locked in their bedroom most of the day.

  “Kim? Are you okay?”

  Nicky’s question intruded into Kimara’s thoughts. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something.” She walked around to her desk and sat down. “How are the plans for the ball coming along? We have exactly two weeks left.”

  Nicky took the chair across from Kimara’s desk. “Super. I have to give special thanks to Kyle. Did you see the names of the people he was able to get a firm commitment from? I don’t know what strings he pulled or what IOUs he called in, but I for one am eternally grateful. So far the number attending is well over five hundred. That’s the largest crowd we’ve ever had.”

  “What about the menu?”

  “Everything’s under control. I’ve hired extra help for the evening and the agency in charge of decorations has confirmed they’ll be able to get all the red and white balloons you requested.”

  Kimara nodded. “And the music?”

  “The Davenport Orchestra will alternate with a number of musical groups, performing all love songs.”

  Kimara smiled. “You’re right, everything looks good on the Golden Flame’s end. I have a meeting with the ball committee at Stafford Publishing this afternoon to see how things with them are going.”

  She tapped her pen on her desk. “Have we heard anything from Sterling Hamilton? I know Kyle mentioned he’d be out of the country and wouldn’t be attending, but I keep hoping there’s a slim chance his plans might change.”

  “No, sorry. It looks like Mr. Hamilton won’t be making it. His personal secretary sent a letter expressing his regrets, along with a very generous contribution.”

  Kimara nodded.

  “What about Kyle, Kim? Is he coming? Garwood Industries has always supported this event, and now with Mr. Garwood’s death and Kyle taking his place, I think it will be even more important for members of the community to see that Garwood Industries will continue to be a strong supporter and leader in various causes. We need more and more of our black businesses getting involved in worthwhile organizations like the UNCF.”

  “I agree, Nicky, and I believe under Kyle’s leadership Garwood Industries will continue to do so. However, I don’t know if he’ll be coming to the ball or not.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? I’d think he would come as your escort.”

  “I doubt that Kyle would come even if I were to ask him to. So I won’t even bother. Valentine’s Day doesn’t hold a lot of meaning for him. He was to be married on Valentine’s Day nine years ago.”

  “I didn’t know that. What happened?”

  “He found out the day before the wedding that his fiancée was sleeping around. He actually caught her in the act.”

  “Gosh.” Nicky shook her head. She couldn’t imagine anyone sleeping around on Kyle Garwood. “That’s awful. But that was nine years ago. Surely he’s gotten over it by now?”

  Kimara rose from her chair and moved toward the window. “Some people never get over a broken heart, Nicky.”

  At sixteen she’d thought her whole world had fallen apart when Kyle had gotten engaged. She could just imagine the hurt he must have felt at the age of twenty-four and very much in love. She would never forget how happy he looked when he’d brought his fiancée home to meet his family. The wedding was to have been the social event of the season, and was to take place on Valentine’s Day, a day that symbolized love and forever-afters. For Kyle it had turned into a day of humiliation when the newspapers and television had gotten wind of why the wedding was called off. The National Tattler, the country’s leading tabloid, had been at its worst and Kyle had been made into a laughingstock. Kimara had been seventeen at the time and had known only bits and pieces of what was going on. She’d gotten the full details of what had happened a number of years later from Poppa Garwood.

  She turned away from the window and forced a smile as she faced her friend and business partner. “Enough about Kyle and the Valentine’s Day ball. How are things coming along for the Joyners’ daughter’s wedding?”

  • • •

  Kimara put her key into the lock and opened the door, stepping inside the huge house. She immediately felt a feeling of loneliness. When she’d lived there for a while with Poppa Garwood, the house was seldom completely empty. Poppa Garwood believed in having company, even at odd hours. It wasn’t unusual for him to hold as many business meetings in his home as he did at the office. Feeling the need to relax, Kimara went to the bedroom, kicked off her shoes, and began undressing. Moments later, dressed comfortably in a pair of jeans, sweatshirt, and sneakers, she went to the kitchen to fix herself something to eat.

  After quietly dining alone on a pasta salad, she went into the study. She hadn’t yet unpacked a box of items Poppa Garwood had instructed Mason to give her upon his death. Keeping busy would help prevent her from missing Kyle. She was just about to open the box when the phone rang. Immediately picking it up, she recognized the voice on the other end.

  “Kyle! I’m so glad you called. I miss you. How are things going?” She was so glad to hear from him. He had phoned her twice at the office, and both times she’d been out and had missed his calls. Kimara laughed ruefully when he began teasing her about being such a hard lady to catch up with.

  “My first day back at the office was kind of hectic,” she said laughing. “And yes, I’m still delegating some of my duties for the ball.” She pushed her hair away from her face. “Kyle, I was wondering if you’ll be a
vailable to take me to the ball?” she asked quickly.

  She’d just done the very thing she’d told Nicky she wouldn’t do, and that was to ask him to the ball. She then felt the pain around her heart when he turned her down. “No, that’s okay. I understand that you’ll probably have a lot of paperwork to do that night. That’s all right.”

  She tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “Okay, I’ll see you on Friday. Good-bye.”

  After hanging up the phone, Kimara tried to will her disappointment away. How long would he allow himself to suffer from a broken heart? Even she had recovered from hers and was willing to give love another try-- with the same man, if that wasn’t being a glutton for punishment. She wondered if Kyle would ever be able to love again. Would he ever be able to give his heart totally and completely? Kimara didn’t have a clue as to how to proceed with her relationship with him. Of the many things he’d talked with her about at Special K, his broken engagement hadn’t been one of them.

  Deciding to get started on the task she’d been about to do before Kyle called, she dropped to her knees in front of the box sitting on the floor. Opening it, she discovered a number of items Poppa Garwood had wanted her to have, like his wife’s collection of autographed books of poetry from James Weldon Johnson, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Langston Hughes. He’d also left the Garwood family Bible to her.

  Kimara’s breath caught when she came to an envelope that had turned slightly yellow with age. She knew without looking what was inside. It was the card she’d bought for Kyle ten years before. How had Poppa Garwood gotten it? She distinctly remembered throwing it away that night. Evidently he’d gotten it out of the trash and had kept it all these years. Why?

  She opened the envelope, pulled out the card, and read aloud the verses inside. It was the card she’d thought perfect for Kyle ten years earlier, and she knew it was still perfect for him today.

  My Love Is Yours

  My love for you grows stronger daily

  And blossoms in so many ways,

  It gives me hope for all my tomorrows

  And a reason to cherish today.

  My love for you gives me the strength

  To endure loneliness whenever we are apart.

  It burns just like a glowing flame

  Down deep inside my heart.

  And for as long as I live

  My love for you will last through all eternity,

  For together as one in heart, body, and soul

  You and I were truly meant to be.

  Kimara replaced the card in the envelope as tears clouded her eyes. Although it was ten years late in coming, she would give the card to Kyle on Valentine’s Day and tell him how much she loved him.

  • • •

  It was late Friday night when Kyle arrived home. The house was dark when he stepped inside the foyer. He had missed Kimara. This unexpected trip had seemed to drag on forever. The only thing he’d wanted was to return to Atlanta and to his wife.

  His wife . . .

  Just thinking that she would be there when he got home brought a feeling of anticipation to him that he’d never felt before. While away, he had caught himself thinking of her at some of the oddest times, like in the middle of an important board meeting or while attending a conference with his financial advisor and good friend, Jake Madaris, who had flown in from Texas.

  Kyle had caught himself recounting memories of things they had done together at Special K. It didn’t take much to remember making love to her, their long talks, their morning walks, and their quiet dinners alone. He placed his briefcase on the floor by a chair.

  Then he saw her.

  Kimara lay curled up on the sofa asleep. He was deeply touched that she had tried waiting up for him. And to top things off she was wearing the blue silk jump suit. Bending, he gently lifted her into his arms to carry her to the bedroom. She snuggled closer to him, murmuring his name against his chest. Pulling back the covers, he placed her in the bed. A low growl of need rose in his throat. Would he ever stop wanting her? Aching with a fierce desire, he quickly removed all his clothes. Leaning down, he began waking her by lightly kissing her jaw and mouth while undressing her.

  “Kyle,” she murmured, reaching out and placing her arms around his neck, coming awake. “You’re home. I missed you.”

  He slid in bed beside her, drawing her into his arms. “And I missed you too, baby. I missed you so much.” He captured her mouth in a long, penetrating kiss, glorying in her response. He wanted the feel of her soft body beneath him, her silky legs and arms wrapped around him. He wanted to bury himself in her.

  And he wanted her now.

  Kyle took her immediately, joining his body with hers, the need to become a part of her fierce, elemental. He wanted her a moaning, writhing woman in his arms, wanting him. Only him.

  And all through the night, Kyle got everything he wanted.

  • • •

  Before dawn the next morning, Kyle slipped from the bed, being careful not to awaken Kimara. Going into the master bathroom, he put on his robe, and then left the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

  In the family room he took a quick swallow of Scotch. He needed it to get his bearings and to clear his mind. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t dismiss the truth. He had fallen in love with Kimara. And he had fallen hard. Entrusting his love to another woman was something he had vowed never to do. And to make matters worse, she had whispered that she loved him before drifting off to sleep in his arms.

  He knew he had to put distance between them. Although he loved Kimara and there was a certain degree of mutual trust between them, it was not enough for him. He could trust her with some things, but not his heart. No woman would ever betray him again. His ex-fiancée had taught him a valuable lesson. He’d been hurt once, and he refused to set himself up for that kind of pain again.

  • • •

  “I don’t understand, Kyle. You just got back last night. Why are you leaving?”

  Kyle stopped his packing. “I told you, Kimara. I need to get away. I’m going to New York for a while.”

  Their conversation was interrupted when Mrs. Glass informed Kyle the car that would take him to the airport was ready. “Thanks, I’ll be right out.”

  “Here’s the number where I can be reached if you need anything,” he said, placing a business card in Kimara’s hand. “I’m sorry things just didn’t work out for us. But I still want to know if . . . if you’re pregnant. I meant what I said about being a part of my child’s life.”

  Kimara threw the card down on the bed. “I think I deserve more from you than that, Kyle. I want to know what’s going on. Just last night you were warm and loving, and now this morning you’re cold and distant. What’s wrong, Kyle? Please talk to me.”

  For a moment Kyle simply stared at her. “There’s nothing to talk about.” He turned to leave, and then stopped. “Call me if you need anything, Kimara. Take care of yourself. Good-bye.” He walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

  “Kyle,” Kimara cried out softly, knowing he couldn’t hear her. She closed her eyes as tears flowed down her cheeks.

  Kimara was grateful for the last-minute hustle and bustle in preparing for the Valentine’s Day ball. Since Valentine’s Day fell in the middle of the week, a decision was made to end the ball at eleven o’clock instead of midnight, to accommodate the students, who had to attend school the next day.

  She did everything she could do to stay busy and fill the loneliness. But nothing she did eased the pain. Nicky knew she and Kyle had separated and had gone out of her way to be there for her friend. She invited Kimara over to dinner a couple of nights and even spent the night with her a few times so she wouldn’t be alone in the huge house.

  Although she tried not to think of Kyle, Kimara found herself doing so anyway; especially in the wee hours of the night, when she longed to be held by him and loved by him. She was hurt and angered by the way he’d left, without an explanation of what had
driven him away. He hadn’t even bothered to call.

  Over the next ten days she’d come to accept that Kyle’s fiancée’s betrayal had made him into an unloving and hard man, and no one would ever be able to change that about him. He would never be capable of loving anyone. He would never let himself be completely vulnerable again. She should have known better. How many times in the past nine years had she picked up a magazine or newspaper that had given an account of one of Kyle’s affairs?

  None of the women he’d ever been involved with had been able to hold his interest long. What had made her think that she would be any different? After all, she’d been forced on him as a result of the terms of his grandfather’s will. She should not have allowed her head to get filled with a lot of romantic notions of her, Kyle, and their child being a real family and living together happily ever after.

  Kimara knew she would have to go on with her life without him, just her and the baby she now knew for certain she carried. The at-home pregnancy test had confirmed what she’d known all along. She would give birth to Kyle’s child in the fall. She and her baby would make it without Kyle in their lives.

  • • •

  Kyle sat in his office, trying to study the financial documents Jake Madaris had sent over-night. But he couldn’t concentrate, and if he was completely honest with himself, he would admit his concentration level had been at an all-time low since leaving Kimara.

  It had been ten days since he’d left her to come to New York. Ten days of pure hell. Nothing had gone right since then. His employees had sensed his foul mood and made it a point to stay out of his way. And when he left the office in the afternoons, the loneliness he felt for Kimara was like a sharp knife, always cutting inside him. He tossed in bed most of the night, not getting much sleep. And she was the first thing on his mind when he did wake up in the morning. No matter what he did, he couldn’t quiet the feelings that always rolled around in him whenever he thought of her.