by Lisa Jackson
“Dancing,” she innocently replied, hunching her shoulders rhythmically to the music’s beat.
Darius rolled his eyes with a smile. Instead of commenting, he took her by the hand and led her out onto the floor.
Alexa noticed that Darius had honed up on his dance skills, judging by his moves. They exchanged knowing smiles in acknowledgement of this fact. Alexa’s eyes traveled around the room to keep from having to stare at Darius, but she could feel his eyes on her, penetrating her clothes, down to her skin. She was relieved when the music switched from the smooth groove to a thrustlike reggae beat and was ready to call it quits.
However, Darius would not allow her to leave the dance floor. He grabbed on to her hands and pulled her close to him, rocking their bodies from side to side. Alexa gulped when Darius accidentally brushed up against her. Or was it an accident? She glanced up at him only to find that he was dancing another dance in a world of his own with his eyes closed.
Alexa took a couple steps backwards, but Darius gently placed his hands on her hips and pulled her back into his possession. In a slick motion without missing a beat, he turned her around so that her back was to him, causing her eyes to widen when she felt Darius’s gyrating hips against her backside. When his hands encircled her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder, she knew that it would be hard conducting herself with a cool head.
Closing her eyes, Alexa allowed her senses to be her guide. It wasn’t long before she too had lost herself in their dance. Turning so that she was face-to-face with him, Alexa stepped up close and wrapped her arms around his neck. Darius’s eyes locked with hers as he moved his hips in sync with hers to the arousing beat. Just as they were getting into their groove, the music slowed. The change in music broke her trance. She could feel the heat burning her skin, not only from the crowded dance floor, but also from her aroused state. She didn’t know if she should vacate the dance floor or not.
Darius answered that question by reclaiming her hand and leading her deeper into the crowd. With no words spoken he pulled her tenderly into his arms and rested his chin on top of her head. With others surrounding them, Alexa felt secure in Darius’s arms so she allowed herself to relax again. Nuzzling against his neck she prayed that she could remain in his protective captivity as long as she could so that she could savor the sweetness of his tender touch. As they dragged slowly from side to side, Darius began to sing along with the record about going crazy when he looked into her eyes.
Alexa did not know if he was singing for her benefit or not. So she closed her eyes and pretended that he was revealing the intimate impressions from his heart for her alone like he did back in the day when they were in love. She so badly yearned to experienced that exhilaration again, the freedom of innocent love. Although he had only confessed to wanting her physically, she decided if tonight was the night, then she was going to take what she could get just to be with him, even if it meant never seeing him again. The song ended sooner than either of them cared for it to as they were caught up in the solace of each other’s arms.
The band announced that in five more minutes the New Year would be upon them. He might as well have said “last call for alcohol” because the crowd scattered about the room just as fast to find their significant others or someone to ring the New Year in. Darius took Alexa’s hand and managed to secure them both a glass of champagne from the server whom he ran into earlier. When she saw him hand one of the glasses to Alexa, she sucked her teeth and marched away in a huff.
“What’s her problem?” Alexa asked as she watched the woman retreat.
Darius didn’t answer but continued to lead her by the hand through the throng of people. He wanted to find a place for them to be alone, but didn’t want to initiate it unless she was willing. To test her position on the subject, he asked her if she wanted to locate Bryant and Maya.
He was relieved when Alexa responded that it wasn’t necessary.
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it tenderly before proceeding to lead her about the room. The simple gesture evoked memories of how passionate Darius could be. Alexa recalled a statement Darius made in their youth about holding her hand. According to Darius, Alexa’s hand was a perfect fit to his own which is why he enjoyed holding it so much.
Darius spotted a vacant table against the wall and led Alexa through the thick crowd to claim it. Just as they were about to sit down, two women in short, body-hugging dresses approached and announced that the table was taken.
“But brother, we can make a concession for you!” the honey-blond one boldly declared. Her eyes rolled down the length of Darius’s body like he was a piece of meat.
Alexa pretended she did not hear the comment and slid her arm around Darius’s waist. “No, thank you. We need some privacy,” she suggested, linking her arms through his. Alexa did not care what was said in her wake. Tonight Darius was in her company and she wasn’t going to let anyone spoil their evening.
Practically every seat, with the exception of the wedding party table, was taken. Therefore, Darius had to settle for a spot against the wall. He leaned against it and positioned Alexa in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist, and the two waited for the countdown to begin.
“We got one minute left, people!” the DJ announced.
When the time was upon them, the countdown began.
“Ten, nine, eight,” the crowd began in unison. “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one—HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Confetti and balloons fell from the ceiling and horns and whistles went off in celebration. Surrounding couples embraced one another and glasses clanked as the previous year went out with a bang, making room for the new. The band began to play a jazzy rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” and the crowd sang along through hugs and kisses. Bryant had Maya stood up at the table and engaged in a kiss while the younger guests showered them with confetti.
Oblivious to it all were Darius and Alexa who were wrapped in each other’s arms, locked in a deep kiss in the back of the ballroom. Suddenly, an old adage of her grandmother’s came to mind. The man you kiss at the stroke of the New Year is destined to be the man you’ll wake up to for the rest of your life.
Darius noticed her body tense in his arms and he eased back, searching her face for a problem. “Is there something wrong?” he asked through ragged breaths. The last thing he wanted to do was break their kiss, but he also wanted to be aware of her feelings. His eyes traveled down to her sexy kiss-swollen lips and his body hardened.
Alexa shook her head. “Nothing,” she murmured, pulling his face back toward hers for a kiss. “Nothing at all.”
Chapter 7
“So what do we do now?” Darius murmured with a gentle kiss against her forehead that made Alexa’s body melt.
The words left Alexa’s mind spiraling as all sorts of thoughts came to mind. She may not be sure of what the future held for them, but she was certainly sure that she never felt as secure as she now did in Darius’s strong arms. For the moment, there was no other place on the earth where she wanted to be.
Burying her face into the musk-scented hollow of his neck, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. “Whatever you want to do.”
Darius tilted her head upright so that her eyes met his own. Then his mouth descended upon hers, gently at first before escalating into an urgent kiss making Alexa’s head spin. Pulling back, he brought her hands to his mouth as he gazed deeply into her eyes. With his lips, he caressed her palms with tiny tender kisses. His tongue whirled down the peak and into the valley at the base of her hand where he tenderly suckled the soft flesh.
Alexa shuddered from his touch in addition to the fiery connection burning between them. With no further ado, Darius draped his arm protectively around her shoulders and led her through the crowd of merrymakers and out of the building. As they exited the building all Alexa was conscious of was the feel of his heart beating thunderously where her cheek rested against him.
Darius’s temporary accommodations were v
ery nice, Alexa noticed as she entered the room behind him. The grand suite was elegant, yet provided a comfortable homelike atmosphere. There was a sitting area complete with a plush sofa and matching chair. A large entertainment unit, which housed a thirty-six-inch television and state-of-the-art home stereo system. The focal point of the room, however, was the beautiful marble fireplace. Alexa thought how romantic it would be to sit in his arms before a roaring fire, while placing the cares of yesterday behind them.
There was also a kitchenette complete with stove, microwave oven, refrigerator and breakfast bar for those desiring a longer stay. The sleeping quarters were located in the loft which overlooked the seating area. It consisted of a king-size bed and a large bathroom with garden tube and separate shower.
It was apparent that the housekeeping crew had come in Darius’s absence because of the cozy fire burning in the fireplace and the small basket containing a mixture of expensive chocolates left on the countertop.
Darius tossed his keys on the breakfast bar and proceeded to slip out of his suit jacket. Alexa watched him, recalling every inch of his body with admiration. Again their eyes locked. As he removed his dress shirt, Alexa’s eyes roamed over the contours of his well-sculpted torso and arms. She had been mesmerized by his defined masculine build then, but was even more captivated by his more manly form now.
Darius stepped away momentarily to turn on the stereo. He scanned through a few stations when the saxophone voice from a slow jazz piece caught his attention. Turning around he opened his arms, inviting her to step into his waiting embrace.
Alexa melted against his chest, relishing being in his arms again.
When the song came to an end, Alexa continued to hold him tight. She knew that they were about to engage in an activity that if it were any other individual, she would think twice about. However, with Darius, there were no second thoughts. She was his to begin with and now he was here to claim her. He had captured her heart nine years ago and there was no doubt that her feelings had not changed. Even if he didn’t share her feelings, she wanted to know his loving again although it could mean giving up a part of herself.
Darius noticed her hesitation and pulled back, searching her face. “Are you sure you want to do this, Alexa?” he whispered. He wanted to make sure that she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.
She nodded in response and just to show him how much, she rose up on her toes and discovered his lips with her own for confirmation.
Then with a gentle push, she made him edge backwards until the back of his legs came in contact with the sofa. He fell back with Alexa falling down on his lap. He murmured her name as he held her close while raining gentle kisses over her face and neck. In turn, Alexa smoothed her hands over his head and down his shoulders and up again to his face as if reacquainting her memory with the actual feel of his body.
Her touch was delicate like a feather and he began stroking her face, shoulders and breast in return. Alexa proceeded to kiss him all over, finding those spots that had lain dormant since her last touch.
When he could no longer hold out from having his way with her, Darius scooped her up into his arms, stood and carried her away to his hideaway in the loft above.
His hands were practically shaking as he unzipped the back of her dress and slid it down her shoulders. He gasped when he saw what was beneath. The shell-colored French cut panties along with the lace-top thigh-highs were both sexy and virginal, sending his senses into an upward spiral. It didn’t take long for them to dispose of their clothing before they were kissing, caressing, touching and tasting one another. Finally, when neither of them could stand it any longer, Darius lifted her onto his lap and gently eased himself into her warm feminine core, the only place that he dared to call home.
Alexa let out a soft moan as he entered her body and she wrapped her arms around his neck wanting to hold on to the feel and memory of the moment forever. Darius lifted his head back and reached up to cup her face in his palms as he proceeded to kiss her long and deep. Not withholding themselves any longer from the total physical expression, Darius captured her hips in his strong hands and began moving his body beneath her. It didn’t take long for their lovemaking rhythm to come back to both of them.
Pleasure radiated throughout Alexa’s body like an electric current, awakening places that only Darius knew. Their bodies moved to a rhythm that only the two of them could understand. Through satiated eyes, Darius looked at Alexa and admitted to himself what he always knew: Alexa Kirkwood was his woman. She always had been and always would be. In turn, Alexa’s eyes fell on him and she knew that Darius had never stopped being her man for a moment. If neither of them recognized this before, they definitely did at that moment.
Alexa exploded first, murmuring unintelligible words against Darius’s strong shoulder as her body went through its different levels of release. The warmth flowing from her body caused Darius to follow suit.
When it was over, Alexa held on to him tightly, not wanting to let go just in case it was all just a dream leaving them lying alone in their separate beds. In addition, she didn’t want him to see the tears rolling down her cheeks, for she knew that if she looked into his eyes at that moment, there would be no letting him go.
In the wee hours of the morning, the two consummated their love again and again. Each time their connection was more intense and more passionate than the last. No words were spoken, just the satisfied moans of long-lost lovers reunited into one.
They only took a break when hunger pangs hit and they escaped to the kitchen in search of something to eat. However, Darius couldn’t think about food when he saw Alexa standing at the counter opening a can of nuts. He stepped up behind her and kissed her on the neck, fanning the flames all over again.
After their last encounter, the two lay side by side on the kitchen floor catching their breaths. Darius rolled his head towards Alexa with a sedate smile on his face. Alexa’s eyes were closed and she lay there peacefully as if she was sleeping. Darius reached over and tweaked her nipple to see if she was awake.
She turned with a smile. “Yes?”
“Let’s get married,” he said.
“Yeah right,” Alexa sniffed in reply and closed her eyes.
“Seriously, babe, let’s make this official. What I feel for you, I know you feel for me. We both know that what we have been doing over the past ten hours was not insignificant. The look in your eyes when we made love was the same as when we used to be together. I don’t know about you, but I know I haven’t stopped smiling since you walked through that door. In fact, I can’t stop.” To prove his point he gave her a toothy grin.
Alexa rolled over, propping her head with her arm. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am,” he replied. “I don’t want to let you go again, Alex. I think we were good together. Despite what occurred between us, I still love you, and I know you love me, too.”
A moan escaped her throat and she covered her eyes with her hands. “Darius, don’t you see how complicated things are? We have issues. You even said we haven’t addressed them.”
“All couples have issues,” he interrupted.
“But we are not even a couple,” she reminded him.
“Yet we can be,” he interjected, caressing her hair lovingly. “All you have to do is say yes.”
Alexa stared into his eyes and she knew he was more serious than ever.
“But we live in separate cities.”
This time, Darius cut her off with a firm kiss. “Minor details, darling, that can be handled very easily.”
Alexa would have thought she was dreaming if it were not for the cool linoleum sticking to her damp back. How could a few days bring her face-to-face with her first love and a marriage proposal to boot? Everything was happening so fast. She couldn’t jump at the chance for the fear of being seen as flighty. Yet, she didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to marry the only man she ever really loved.
“Sweetie, I must admit, the twenty-three
-year-old Alexa in me is screaming yes, but the thirty-two-year-old, sensible Alexa is telling me to be rational. I’m not turning you down, but this is a big step. If you don’t mind, I need some time to think before I can give you an answer.”
After a pregnant pause, he finally conceded with a nod. “I can respect that. But please don’t leave me waiting.”
Chapter 8
Fresh fallen snow greeted Alexa on Saturday morning. However, the cold winds and gray skies could not put a damper on her mood because the sun was shining in her world. With a smile, she snuggled beneath the down-filled comforter thinking of Darius. His spontaneous proposal left her teetering between feelings of exhilaration and apprehension. The whole weekend was like a dream with her fairy-tale wishes coming true and she wasn’t prepared for that to happen.
Due to their late night, the two had overslept on the day Alexa was to leave. She ended up having only an hour and a half to get back to the house, collect her belongings and get to the airport to make her flight. Darius suggested that she catch a flight the next day, so that she wouldn’t be so rushed, but Alexa declined because she knew how much work waited for her at the office.
A warm sensation flowed throughout her body as she pictured him lying beside her in the bed. She hugged the pillow tight, wishing instead that it were Darius. Closing her eyes, she imagined his virile body moving in sync with her own. Her body tingled as she remembered the pressure of his lips exploring areas that made her cry out in joy because they hadn’t been caressed in such a loving way for some time. She could almost feel the kiss he planted on her forehead before she entered the jetway to board her plane. It was tender yet somewhat desperate as if he was afraid to let her out of his sight again. The ringing of the telephone interrupted her daydreaming and she growled in disappointment as she picked up the receiver.
“Hello.”
“So how was the wedding?”
Alexa recognized Beverly Kirkwood’s nasal voice anywhere. The warmth she felt about her weekend quickly dissipated.