CUPID'S BOW (MADARIS SERIES Book 2)

by Brenda Jackson

  And he couldn’t stop loving her.

  His grandfather had pulled a fast one on him. He had set up the conditions of the will knowing that Kimara was the type of woman any man could love - the type of woman that he would love. She had all the characteristics of a Garwood woman--caring, devoted, and trustworthy.

  Trustworthy.

  He knew without a doubt that she was worthy of his complete love and trust. With his grandfather’s help, he had been shown the very thing he hadn’t realized until then. It wasn’t meant for him to marry nine years ago. Kimara was the woman intended for him to marry. She’d always been a part of his life, a part of his family. Without even trying, she had captured his heart and had made him want to love and trust again.

  Kyle made a vow then and there to keep her a part of his life, to always love her. The pain from his past no longer mattered. It wasn’t important. He was determined that a bond of love as strong as the one his father had for his mother, and his grandfather had for his grandmother, be created between them.

  But first he had to ask her forgiveness for what he’d done. He stiffened when he thought about how cold and distant he’d been to her the morning he’d left. She had been right when she’d told him she deserved more from him. What if she didn’t want him anymore? What if she no longer loved him? What if she couldn’t forgive him?

  No! He would not let doubt rule his mind and his heart. He and Kimara were meant to be together, and that was final. After all, they had his grandfather’s blessing, and everyone knew that Kyle Garwood III left nothing to chance.

  • • •

  The huge ballroom filled with people got completely quiet when the two men made their entrance. They were the last two people anyone expected to make an appearance tonight--Kyle Garwood V and Sterling Hamilton. Both men were handsomely dressed in black tuxes. Last year they had been named by People magazine as two of the fifty most beautiful people in the world, and it was quite obvious why. And there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they would make the list again this year.

  After the brief moment of silence, buzzing of excited conversations swept through the ballroom. But Kyle paid no mind to the slight commotion he and his best friend were causing. His gaze was too busy sweeping the crowded ballroom that was decorated in traditional valentine colors of red and white. He was looking for his wife.

  “I’m dying to meet her, Kyle,” Sterling Hamilton said. “She must be one hell of a woman to get you all tied in knots. You’ve been a mass of nerves all day.”

  Kyle took a deep breath. “And with good reason. I’ve wronged her, Sterling.”

  “Then I guess you’d better be prepared to get on bended knees, bro.”

  Kyle shrugged broad shoulders that barely moved beneath his jacket. “I’ll do whatever I have to.”

  “Is she worth it?”

  Kyle met Sterling’s gaze and clearly understood the question. He and Sterling had been close friends since their teen years, and he was one of the few people who knew how a woman had also hurt Sterling- his mother. Her desertion when Sterling was young had left him bitter and distrustful of women. Kyle hoped one day love would come into Sterling’s life as it had his.

  “Yes, Kimara’s worth it and more. When you meet her, you’ll see why.”

  “I can’t wait,” Sterling said, glancing around the room and taking notice of a small group of people headed their way. “Don’t look now, but here come the reporters. Once they start firing their questions, you’ll never get away to find your wife in this crowd.”

  “Oh, I’ll find her, but I don’t have time to be delayed.”

  Sterling laughed. “Does that mean you’re leaving me alone to fend for myself?”

  Kyle patted Sterling consolingly on the back. “Only because you’re so good at it. Thanks again for coming. I owe you one, buddy.”

  “And don’t think for one minute that I won’t be collecting, Kyle. When your first child is born, I want to be its godfather.”

  Kyle laughed. “That’s a deal. And whenever you do get married, I’d like to be best man at your wedding.”

  “Don’t hold your breath for that one, friend. I’m never getting married.”

  “Watch out, Sterling. I said the same thing for years.” Kyle grinned as he walked off in search of his wife.

  • • •

  Nicky was beaming. “I’m not going to ask how you managed to get Sterling Hamilton here tonight, but thanks.”

  Kyle nodded, glancing around the room. “Where’s Kimara?”

  Nicky couldn’t help noticing the lines of strain and tension etched deeply into his dark features. They were a mirror to those she’d seen in Kim’s face over the past few days. “She’s in the back doing a last minute check with our catering staff.”

  “Thanks.” Kyle turned and had taken two steps when Nicky called after him. “Kyle, good luck.”

  He nodded, knowing he would need all the luck he could get. He found Kimara where Nicky had said she would be, in the back near the kitchen. She was talking to a man he assumed was her head cook. His breath caught in his throat. Her profile was to him, and she looked beautiful dressed in a red strapless gown with a split that displayed a peek of her gorgeous long legs and fit every curve Kimara possessed. Her hair was eloquently pinned up in a style which allowed wisps of curls to fall framing her face, and to his delight she was wearing the diamond necklace and earrings he’d given her as a wedding gift.

  He ached to pull her into his arms, to kiss her and to tell her how much he loved her. But first he had to explain things to her. He hoped to God she would listen and then forgive him. The man Kimara was talking to walked away and she turned. Surprise flitted in her eyes when her gaze met his.

  A sudden rush of air flooded Kimara’s lungs when she saw the man standing a few feet away from her. She tried not to think about how handsome he looked dressed in a black tux, or the powerful magnetism he radiated. What she did focus her thoughts on was how much this man had hurt her. She remembered the last time she’d seen him, twelve days ago, and how he’d walked out on her. Those thoughts made her shiver in anger.

  “What are you doing here, Kyle?” Kimara watched as he came closer. She was too caught up in her hurt, pain, and resentment to see the tortured look of regret that lined his face and darkened his eyes.

  “I had to come, baby. I couldn’t stay away from you any longer. I -”

  “Spare me. Your coming here was a mistake. You made everything clear the day you walked out on me.”

  “Kimara, please hear me out. Let’s find a private place where we can talk. I need to explain things to you. I need to tell you that I--”

  “You want to talk? Well, it’s too late for that. I asked you to talk to me that morning you left, and you said we had nothing to talk about. So why should I listen to anything you have to say now? Please leave, Kyle. Just go and leave me alone. You’ve broken my heart twice, and I won’t let you do it a third time.”

  She made a move to walk around him, but Kyle blocked her path. “Twice? What are you talking about? How could I have broken your heart twice?”

  Not wanting to tell Kyle about the time she’d been a young girl madly in love with him ten years ago, she faced him, her hands balling into fists at her side, her body filled with rage. At that moment Kyle made the mistake of reaching out for her. “Don’t touch me,” she screamed, snatching away from him. “Just leave me alone. I hate you for making me love you. I hate you.”

  She suddenly turned on him, striking out at him, and in her pain she pounded his chest. “You walked out on me,” she wept brokenly. “You made me love you and then you walked out on me.”

  Kyle let Kimara release her fury on him, deserving everything he got. When he felt her body weaken with exhaustion, he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the back of the huge room. He was grateful no one had been around to witness the scene between them.

  He continued walking with her in his arms, her body still shaking with wrenching sob
s. He came to a small vacant room that had a table and a couple of chairs. With Kimara still nestled in his arms, he sat down. Her crying tore at his heart; her pain cut through him. He held her with tears clouding his own eyes, remembering the two weeks they had spent together at Special K and how much they enjoyed being together. He knew deep down in his heart that he had begun loving her then. He never had meant to hurt her, but in trying to protect himself, he’d done just that. The realization that he was the cause of her tears tore at him, almost ripping him in two.

  “I’m sorry, baby. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you,” he whispered hoarsely, holding her closer in his arms, closer to his heart.

  The raw ache in Kyle’s voice and the slight trembling of his body cut through the wall of anguish and resentment Kimara felt. He was holding her tight, and his hands were moving gently up and down her back, comforting her and at the same time spreading warmth all through her.

  Taking a deep calming breath, Kimara fought for self-control and pulled herself out of Kyle’s arms and out of his lap. “I’m fine now, Kyle,” she said quietly refusing to look at him. “Please leave now.”

  “I’m not leaving until you hear me out, Kimara,” he said, taking her hand.

  She pulled her hand free from him. The last thing she needed was to be touched by him. Her voice was tight with bitterness when she said, “I did hear you out once. It was that night at Special K when you said we would take things one day at a time when we got back here in Atlanta. But you didn’t mean to do that, did you? You had no intention of the two of us ever sharing anything beyond what was stipulated in Poppa Garwood’s will. You made me fall in love with you, Kyle. I told you that I never wanted to be one of your women, and I meant it. But you made me one of Kyle Garwood’s women anyway.”

  Kyle’s body became tense at the calm acceptance in her voice. “I love you, Kimara.”

  Kimara stared at him. “What did you say?”

  “I said I love you. And you could never be one of my women because you are my only woman. You’re the only woman who can claim my heart. Only you. Please believe that.” His voice was hoarse and tight, as if the words were being wrenched from deep within him. “Please.”

  He took a step forward. “I made a mistake by turning my back on you and my love for you. I was too afraid of the possible pain. I didn’t want to trust my love to you. But now I know that my trust for you is complete. You and I were meant to be together. Granddad knew it, and I’m grateful that he helped me to realize it.”

  Kyle’s words began crumbling the wall Kimara had built around her heart. When he held his arms out to her, she stepped into them, winding her arms tightly around his neck.

  He wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, Kimara,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you so much these past twelve days. Please take me back into your life, into your heart. Give me a chance to make everything up to you. Please give me the chance to love you forever.”

  “I can’t believe you actually love me,” Kimara whispered softly.

  “Believe it, because I plan on living the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He tightened his arms around her, his mouth closing hungrily over hers, wiping away hurt and pain, replacing both with promises of love everlasting.

  Kimara kissed him back with all her heart, loving the way he was taking her mouth, removing her doubts, and soothing her fears. She had missed him desperately, and by the way he was kissing her, he had missed her too.

  When he lifted his head some time later, he kept his arms wrapped around her. “I love you,” he whispered again, as if saying the words over and over would erase any doubt from her mind. “I love you, baby.”

  “And I love you too, Kyle,” she said, moving closer to his warmth.

  He gave her a slow, sexy smile and touched her cheek. “Today is truly a special day. It’s a day meant for love. True love. Our love. I’ll never think ill of Valentine’s Day again. I now realize that it wasn’t meant for me to get married nine years ago. You and I were meant to be together. You are my soul mate.” Kyle pulled her to him again for another kiss, their passion for each other almost blazing out of control.

  “Harrumph.”

  The clearing of someone’s throat made Kyle and Kimara part. They turned around to find Nicky had entered the room. “I hate to intrude, but I’d gotten kind of worried about the two of you. Is everything okay?”

  Kimara smiled at her friend, appreciating her concern. “Yes, everything’s fine. Kyle and I were just discussing the weather.”

  Nicky laughed. “And I bet the both of you came to the conclusion it was rather hot.”

  Kimara grinned. “Yeah, something like that. I guess I need to get back to the ball. I’ve been gone a long time.”

  “Yes, but everything’s under control. The students are having the time of their lives. Did Kyle tell you whom he brought to the ball with him?”

  Kimara lifted a brow. “No, I guess he didn’t get the chance to,” she said, smiling at Kyle. “Whom did you bring with you, Kyle?”

  Nicky was so excited, she answered for him. “He brought Sterling Hamilton. Can you believe that?”

  Kimara’s mouth fell open. “Sterling Hamilton! Kyle? How did you manage that? I didn’t know the two of you are friends.”

  Kyle laughed. “Sterling and I are the very best of friends. In fact, I promised him he would be our first child’s godparent. That is, if it’s all right with you.”

  Kimara grinned. “Yes, that’s fine with me, but how did you do it? I thought he was out of the country, filming.”

  “He was, but I went and got him. My jet will be flying him back tomorrow. I knew how much you wanted him here.”

  Kimara lifted her hand and placed her fingers against Kyle’s jaw. “Thanks, Kyle.”

  “The pleasure of making you happy is all mine. Besides, Sterling’s dying to meet the woman who has captured my heart.”

  “I think I’ll leave the two of you alone again,” Nicky said. “Just don’t forget there’s a party in full swing on the other side of the building. Come join us.”

  “We’ll be there in a minute,” Kyle said, turning back to the woman in his arms. “On second thought, Nicky, make that five minutes,” he said, moments before taking Kimara’s mouth again.

  • • •

  Later that night Kimara lay in Kyle’s arms in front of the fireplace. The ball had been a huge success and everyone, including herself, had thoroughly enjoyed Sterling Hamilton’s presence. She thought he was a real nice guy.

  She stirred in her husband’s arms, moving closer to his warmth and thinking that he was an even neater guy. When she’d arrived home with him from the ball, she had discovered her foyer lined with dozens of red and white roses. The sight of them had been beautiful and breathtaking. He had explained that he’d called the florist himself and made arrangements to have the flowers delivered after she had left for the ball. Mrs. Glass had assured him that she would be there to receive them.

  Kyle gave her a gift, a beautiful gold charm bracelet. The charm was a golden cupid with his bow. After placing the bracelet on her wrist, he whispered, “The arrow from Cupid’s bow has hit its mark. It struck a permanent place in my heart.” His words almost brought tears to her eyes. “And I promise to add another charm on Valentine’s Day each year. Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart,” he added.

  “And Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Kyle. I have something for you too. I have two things to give you.”

  He watched as she padded across the carpeted floor in her bare feet to get something out of his grandfather’s desk. She returned to him and dropped down by his side, handing an envelope to him.

  “I bought this for you ten years ago.”

  Kyle frowned. “Ten years ago? I don’t understand.”

  Kimara smiled. “When I was sixteen, I loved you even then.”

  Kyle sat up, remembering the story she’d told him about falling in love at sixteen and how the guy had broken her heart. “You mea
n I’m that guy you told me about - the one you loved secretly? The one who broke your heart?”

  Kimara nodded.

  He shook his head. “Now I understand why tonight you said I broke your heart twice.” He pulled her to him. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s okay. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters to me.”

  Kyle removed the card from the envelope and silently read it. He smiled at her when he finished. “My love is yours too, sweetheart, and you’re right. Together as one is where we were meant to be. Thanks for being the love of my life and the keeper of my heart. I love you.”

  “And I love you. Now for the other thing I have for you.” She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. At his bemused expression she smiled and said, “Your baby is growing inside of me.”

  A huge smiled covered Kyle’s face. He swept Kimara into his embrace, tightening his arms around her. He kissed her temple as mistiness clouded his eyes. “You have made me so very happy, and I love you so much.”

  He whispered the words just moments before lowering his lips to her, sealing their lives together.

  “Daddy! Daddy! It’s snowing outside. Can we go out and play?”

  Kyle smiled and put down the book he’d been reading when two-and-a-half year old Kyle Garwood VI raced across the room to him. He picked up his son in his arms. As always, a feeling of fierce pride and joy touched him whenever he held the child who had been conceived when he and Kimara had spent their honeymoon at Special K.

  “Can we go outside, Daddy?”

  Kyle’s smile widened. “What about Kareem and Keshia? Do you think they’ll want to come with us?”

  Little Kyle shook his head. “They’re too little, Daddy. They might get buried in the snow.”

  Kyle laughed. He had glanced out the window earlier and there wasn’t that much snow on the ground. The twins were almost a year old and were just beginning to walk.