“No more,” Reggie said and then added, “Matter of fact, get dressed. I wanna show you something.”
Her brown eyes widened. “Now?”
“Yes, now,” he said and a smile curved her lips.
As soon as they were dressed, they slipped into their coats. Berlin said goodbye to the last of the staff and headed out to Reggie’s SUV.
“We’ll pick your car up later. Now get in,” he insisted and they climbed inside.
Reggie cranked up the Christmas music and hit the interstate. “Where are we going?” she asked then laughed.
“Woman, just wait and see,” he said with a wink.
Berlin laced her fingers with his and stared out the window at the snow that was starting to come down again. By the time they had jumped onto Interstate 40 she knew where they were headed.
“We’re going to Chesterfield?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I want you to see something out at the house.”
She sat on the seat anxious to see what new updates had been made.
When they finally reached the subdivision, she stared ahead and gasped, the entire house had been draped with Christmas ornaments. “Oh, that is beautiful!’
“I’m glad you like it.” He looked pleased. “The boys did it this morning.”
Wreaths decorated all the windows on the front, and colorful lights lined the house, porch, and all of the bushes. As soon as the car had come to a complete stop Berlin was out of the seat, admiring the beautiful white snow that blanketed the large yard.
Reggie came around and took her hand and led her up the stairs where an even larger wreath hung from the front door. He stuck the key inside and moved aside so Berlin could enter first. The second she stepped inside, she spotted the ten-foot Christmas tree.
“Oh my, it’s beautiful!” she cried as she walked over. It had been decorated in gold bulbs and ornaments. As her eyes swept the room, Berlin realized the entire room had been decorated and staged for real estate showings. The draperies had been hung and high-end furnishings were arranged around a beautifully stoned fireplace.
Berlin took her time walking through the entire house taking in all the upgrades and décor. She had to admit Lyric was good at what she did. Damn her.
“You like it?”
She nodded her head. “I love it.” Her eyes swept the grand staircase. “I am certain this house will go fast.”
Reggie’s arms tightened around her as he turned her around slowly in a circle. “I already sold it.”
“What?” She gawked and couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss. It was silly, she knew it, but it would have been great to have pretended just a while longer. “That’s wonderful.” She forced a smile.
“C’mon.” Reggie released her then took Berlin’s hand and led her back into the living room, and over to the Christmas tree.
Berlin glanced over at him. “How come you didn’t buy a tree like this at home?”
“Because this house is bigger. Much bigger,” he murmured almost dismissively and then he reached underneath the tree and she noticed the red box. It looked so small in his big strong hands.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Open it and see.” He held it out and she hesitated almost afraid at what she might find inside. She gulped. “But it’s not Christmas yet.”
“It will be in a couple of hours and this gift can’t wait. Now open it,” he insisted.
Grinning with curiosity, she took the box, untied the ribbon then removed the top, and looked inside. “What is this?” she said as she reached in and removed a key.
“It’s a key.”
“I know that, silly.” She paused and grinned. “What’s it to?”
“It’s the key to this house. Merry Christmas.”
She met the grin on his face. “What? This is our house?”
“Yep.”
“Oh my goodness!” Berlin shrieked and clapped a trembling hand over her mouth. After a few seconds, she blurted, “Wait a minute… how can we afford it?”
“I’ve been keeping a secret from you,” Reggie replied with a wink.
Her breath stalled. “You have?”
He nodded. “A couple of weeks ago I won the lottery.”
“What?” Her stomach tightened. “You won?”
“Yes,” he calmly acknowledged.
Berlin shook her head in disbelief. “All those years I teased you for spending money ….”
“… and it finally paid off,” Reggie replied. “I won… rather we won three million dollars.”
Overcome by emotion, her eyes widened and she must have looked ready to faint because Reggie suddenly lunged forward and swept her up into his arms, carrying her over to an overstuffed beige couch, and took a seat with her on his lap.
Berlin was certain she had swallowed her tongue. “Oh my God!” she said, trying to clear her throat. “Did you say, three million?” she repeated hoping she had heard him correctly but needed to be sure.
Reggie nodded. “I bought the ticket when I was in Jefferson City.” He shook his head and she could tell he also was having a hard time believing it. “Since you loved this house so much I decided to give the boys their cut and keep it for us.”
Her eyes traveled around the room again with tears running down her cheeks. “You hired Lyric to do all this?”
“That’s why I didn’t want to tell you,” he told her, flashing a smile that revealed his perfect white teeth.
He’s hiding something. The words seem to hang in the air. Now she knew what that something had been. Berlin gazed up into his eyes and swallowed tightly before saying, “Will you ever be able to forgive me for being so stupid?”
Lowering his head to hers, their lips met and clung. “All’s forgiven,” he murmured. Berlin exhaled while Reggie ran his warm lips along her neck and throat. “I love you, boo.”
Her voice was husky with emotion. “And I love you. Thank you for my present. My gift will seem cheap in comparison.” She had bought him a MacBook.
He groaned softly and wrapped his arms tightly around her. “All I want for Christmas is my family,” Reggie replied and pressed a protective hand to her middle. “You think you can handle that?”
Berlin gazed at him as tears crowded her throat. “I think I’ve got that under control.”
“Yes, you do,” he whispered while tenderly kissing her lips.
This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
CHAPTER 10
They were having their annual New Year’s Eve party. Bright lights. Laughter. Motown music. Their family and friends surrounded the large Christmas tree.
Berlin waltzed around the room, eyes beaming, enjoying the sight of their first holiday in the new home. Glancing around, she grinned proudly. It would be weeks before they officially moved in. Nevertheless, she had insisted they bring in the New Year’s celebration in Arbor Meadows, inviting all of the people who were closest to them.
She spotted Dereon and Christina standing under a mistletoe locked in a warm embrace and a kiss that was so R-rated she felt heat flush her face. Max, Trey, and Braxton were standing around the fireplace debating football over the beat of the music. Smiling, Berlin shook her head. She was going to have to work on getting those three married.
Her parents and Eileen were sitting on the couch while her niece and nephew ran around the room. The rest of the guests were coworkers, friends, and her in-laws—Reggie’s brother and mom, Hazel, who was considering moving closer so she would be near her first grandchild when he or she arrived. Reggie was already planning on buying his mother her first house.
Berlin moved through the crowd as a waiter who she had hired slipped by her with a tray of empty champagne glasses. The bubbly was going down nice and fast. Hopefully there were still a few more cases left for the toast at midnight. Two other waiters glided by carrying hors d’oeuvres.
She spotted her husband standing near her parents and was moving in their direction when she felt a hand at her elbow.
/> “This house is beautiful!” Arianna shrieked. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me.”
Smiling apologetically, she shrugged and said, “Sorry, but Reggie and I wanted it to be a surprise.” They had wanted the house to be a secret so she hadn’t told her best friend about her Christmas gift. She and Reggie had waited until all the guests had arrived and made the big announcement in front of everyone.
“Well, I’m definitely surprised. I hate you, you know that, right?” Arianna teased, there was a hint of envy in her eyes.
“I know,” she replied with laughter then leaned forward and kissed her best friend’s cheek.
“Can I steal my beautiful wife away?”
Berlin looked up to see her husband standing over her. Her heart pounded beneath her breasts. He looked handsome in charcoal gray slacks and a crisp white dress shirt. The top two buttons were loose showing off his dark chocolate skin.
“I think I can share her,” Arianna said with a wink.
Reggie possessively cupped Berlin’s elbow, leading her away from the room. “Where are we going?” she asked with a laugh.
He gave her that cocky smile she loved so much. “Upstairs. I wanna show you something.”
She laced her fingers with his and followed him up the staircase and down the hall where he opened the last door on the right. Berlin stepped inside and dragged in a long slow breath. The nursery had been decorated in yellow and blue. She swung around, eyes wide with curiosity. “How did you know?” she asked.
His adoring gaze was on her. Reaching up, Reggie brushed a lock of hair back from her cheek. “Arianna told me.”
Grinning happily, Berlin walked over and ran her fingers along the fine craftsmanship of the nursery furniture—a crib, dresser, and changing table. It was the same one she had been admiring in the store’s window the day she had spotted Reggie climbing out his vehicle with Lyric. A beautiful wooden rocker was in the corner near a large stuffed giraffe. “Where did you find this rocker? It looks so familiar.”
Moving up behind her, Reggie wrapped his arms around her waist. “I got it from your father. He said he found it in the attic.”
And then it hit her. It was the rocker her father used to sit in. Eileen had been on one knee and she on the other while he read their bedtime stories. “Oh my… I remember this chair.” Only it had been stripped and refinished in a dark rich tint to complement the furniture. Berlin took a moment to envision herself sitting in that chair, rocking their child to sleep. “It’s beautiful.” She swung around and gazed up at her husband with tears burning the backs of her eyes. “Thank you, babe.”
“Anything for you and my son,” he drawled, eyes glinting as he gently rubbed his nose against hers.
She grinned at him. “You mean our daughter.”
“Whatever.” Chuckling, he leaned in and passionately kissed her lips.
Their life was just starting to get interesting.
Note from the Author
I hope all of you enjoyed revisiting with Reggie, Berlin and the crew. I’m sure this story left you with several unanswered questions that I promise will come to the light in Put Your Name on It coming out in Spring 2014. If you haven’t already read Say My Name, Dereon and Christina’s story, you might want to get caught up. The rest of those mouthwatering men— Trey, Braxton, and Maximillian will each continue the Decadent Delight Series.
Until next time,
Angie Daniels
Enjoy a sneak peek of
Claiming What’s Mine
~~The Sexy Simmons~~
Coming in 2014
EXCERPT
Jennifer Simmons and her husband Shaun were heading to the register when she snapped her finger. “Baby, I forgot to get barbecue sauce.”
He smiled down at his wife’s adorable face. “Why don’t you go ahead and get in line while I go get some?”
Nodding, she tilted her chin and met Shaun’s lips as he pressed them against hers in a sweet kiss and then he grinned. “I’ll be right back.”
He turned and headed down the grocery store aisle. He scanned the shelves for just the right sauce for his wife’s amazing ribs that she slow-cooked until they were practically falling off the bones. He was a lucky man. After he'd lost his wife to an aneurism, leaving him to raise three small kids on his own, he never thought he’d have a second chance at love. And then he met Jennifer during a fender bender and it had been the best seven years of his life. His children all had lives of their own. His daughter Sheyna was married to Jace Beaumont and the parents of his only grandchild JJ. Scott had recently married his beautiful fiancée Zanaa. And his son Darnell… Well, he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing except partying and dating as many women as he could fill on his calendar. Hopefully, he would soon be ready to settle down.
He spotted the condiments and was heading down the aisle when he spotted a little kid running in his direction.
“Chance, come back here!”
He spotted a woman pushing a shopping cart and before the little boy had a chance to rush past him, Shaun reached down and scooped him in his arms.
“Whoa! Slow down little tyke,” he said, causing the little boy to start laughing hysterically. Smiling, he swung him around and the second he saw his face the air rushed from his lungs.
Dark mahogany skin, large chocolate eyes and a purple birthmark right behind his left ear. He stared in disbelief. Was it possible?
“Thank you so much for catching him,” the woman began, drawing his attention. “I knew the second I let him out of the cart he would start running around the store.”
He looked at the beautiful tall woman with butter-pecan colored skin, light brown eyes and shoulder length brown hair and a wide smile.
“Boys are always a handful.”
“I’m starting to figure that out.” She held out her arms and the little boy practically dove into her arms. Even as he released him, he couldn't stop looking at the little boy. “I’m Liberty and this here is Chance.”
Reaching up he ruffled the little boy’s curls. It’s a pleasure meeting you both.” He dropped his hand and released a nervous laugh. “Forgive me for saying this, but can I ask who his father is?”
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
"I’m sorry, but—”
“Shaun! There you are…” his wife said, interrupting. He swung around to spot her hurrying down the aisle pushing the cart. “I forgot to get cheese and lettuce for tacos tonight.” She stopped in front of him, looked at him and must have noticed the disturbed look on his face because her eyes traveled from him to Liberty.
“Hello,” she said and held out her hand. “I’m Jennifer and you are…?”
She forced a smile. “I’m Liberty Roth and this here is Chance.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet…” He realized the exact moment she looked at the little boy and realization sank in. “Oh my goodness! He looks just like Darnell.”
He nodded and was relieved that his wife agreed. “I was getting ready to say the same thing.”
Liberty looked confused. “Who’s Darnell?”
“My son. That’s his son, isn’t it?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know anyone named Darnell.” She lowered Chance back into the cart then glanced down at her watch. “I better get going. Thanks again for catching him for me. It was a pleasure meeting both of you. Chance, say bye.”
“Bye!” he cried then gave a goofy laugh and a familiar smile that caused Shaun’s stomach to clench. He knew that look anywhere. It had once belonged to his wife.
Liberty gave a quick wave, then turned and moved quickly down the aisle.
“You know she lying, right?” Jennifer replied.
“Yep. I don’t care what she says that little boy is my grandson.”
* * *
“I’ll also have a slice of peach pie.” Sheyna said, completing her order and handing the waitress her menu.
“Sounds good. I’ll be back shortly with your iced tea.”
Danica gave her a saucy grin as she pushed her reddish brown curl from her face. “He doesn’t have a clue. I want our anniversary to be a weekend he’ll never forget.”
“A weekend in Bermuda. Trust me, he’ll never suspect a thing.”
Smiling, she released a heavy sigh. “I just hope so. Although, I feel a little guilty planning a romantic weekend just to try and get my way.”
She wagged her eyebrows. “Why not? There is nothing wrong with a woman using what she’s got to get what she wants.” Sheyna told her, shaking her head with an amused grin.
“We’re being bad.” Danica tilted her head to one side, considering the possibility with a nervous smile. “You and I both know that I gave up modeling to move here. I don’t think Jaden is going to like that I have decided to model again.”
Sheyna ignored the uncertainty in her voice. “But it’s not like you’re going back to hitting the runway. You’re just promoting your swimsuit design. Just tell him you’re on your way to being the next Kimora Lee Simmons.”
Danica folded her arms across her breasts. She didn’t look convinced.
Their waitress returned with their drinks. Sheyna heard her phone ringing. She scooped up her purple Dooney bag, dug in the side pocket and glanced down at the number across the screen. It was her father.
She signaled to Danica she was stepping out, then rose from her chair. “Hey Daddy,” she said merrily as she sauntered out of the restaurant and into the hall.
“Hello sweetheart. How’s everyone doing?”
“We’re good. JJ has a soccer game on Wednesday.”
“Don’t worry. You tell him his grandpa wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
She adored her father. He had been an amazing provider and adored his only grandson. She moved over to the window and stared out at the Sheraton Beach. Boats were docked all along the harbor. “What’s going on Daddy?” They usually talked at least once or twice a week, but they had just talked last night.
Naughty Before Christmas (Decadent Delight Series #3) Page 10