by Stacy-Deanne
She turned her back to him and gripped a chair. “I wondered what signals I set off or what I’d done to make him think…”
He flung her toward him. “Preston attacked you and he doesn’t get a pass for the way he acted.”
“I know that in my heart, but it’s hard not to blame myself.”
“What does this have to do with Max blackmailing you?”
“When I left Preston was alive, but Max approached me and said he had the video footage of me being there and the weapon. I hadn’t told anyone but Leslie that he tried to rape me.” She sniffled. “I should have gone to the police.”
“So Max told you he’d tell the cops you killed Preston?”
She nodded. “Max acted like he’d killed him, and he’d been blackmailing Preston too.”
Shad lifted his head, rubbing his chin. “Because of the embezzlement?”
“But Max didn’t kill Preston.”
“I know. Gloria called me right before you came and told me Asha murdered Kinard and they’ve arrested her but she didn’t have further details.”
“Teddy and I took the security footage to the police.” Osana blinked back tears. “It shows everything that happened.”
“Are you off the hook?”
She nodded, wiping her eyes.
“Woman, why do you keep being like this?” He grabbed her hands. “You should’ve told me when this happened.”
“I wanted to, but I was ashamed to tell you.”
“Why?” He lifted her chin with his index finger. “He attacked you. Didn’t you think I’d understand that?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t let you in. Everything would be different if I’d trusted your love for me.”
His face radiated under the lights. “We’ll never be happy until you understand that you can tell me anything, Osana.” He pushed his nose to hers. “I don’t know what more I can do to prove I love you.”
“I know you do.” She kissed him, caressing his cheek. “I’m sorry I slapped you. Just something I got about people taking control.”
“You gotta give me something.” His nose remained on hers. “It can’t be just me putting everything into this relationship. You compromise when you’re doing business deals but relationships take that same commitment.”
“How can I ever repay you for getting rid of Max?” She hugged his waist.
“Do what I’ve been begging for since we first got together.” He rested his hand upon the curve of her back. “Let me in. When you get scared, you hurt people instead of dealing with pain. It’s gotta change for your sake and our relationship.”
She exhaled from her gut. “I’ll try. I can’t promise much else.”
“That’s all I ask.” He kissed her forehead. “Always remember that no matter what happens we’ll get through it together. I’m crazy about you, girl.” He chuckled. “I’m so in love with you.”
She giggled. “Who else would put up with the shit you have? Now…” She pointed to the table. “Can we enjoy this time together and not talk about anything else tonight?”
“Promise me something first.” He kissed her hand, which remained wrapped around his. “When you’re unsure or scared…let me know. I’ll never tire of hearing about it.”
She smiled, his words warming her soul. “That’s a deal.”
“Who knows?” He walked her to the table, hand-in-hand. “Maybe sometime soon you’ll be married because you want to be.” He poured another glass of wine.
“Yeah.” She sat in the chair, grinning. “Who knows?”
“Then comes the kids.” He passed her the glass. “Our kids would be knockouts.”
She sipped, nodding.
“I’d love to have a daughter with you.” He sat beside her, taking her hand. “A gorgeous little biracial girl with your fascinating, brown eyes, and fiery nature.”
Osana laughed. “She’d be a lot to handle.”
“Damn right but not boring a day in her life.” He rubbed her knee. “You know what type of man makes a great husband and father?” His lips blessed hers with a flaming kiss. “A man like me, Osana.” He kissed her again. “One like me.”
She smiled.
****
“Jeez.” Leslie cut her soothing shower to a halt when her phone rang. Still in the tub, she grabbed her cell from the hamper.
Unknown number
“Hello?” she answered, interest piqued.
“Hey there,” a throaty voice replied.
“Max.” She sighed, getting out the tub. “I was hoping we’d heard the last of you.”
“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.” He chuckled. “You’re gonna miss me, right?”
She put her phone on speaker and wrapped the towel around her body. “Like a heart attack.”
He laughed. “Come off it, Leslie.”
“What do you want? And please lose my number after this call.”
“I’ll be honest—”
“And this would be the first time you were.” She took the shower cap off and laid it in the sink.
“I rarely give a damn what people think, but your opinion matters.”
She picked up the phone, keeping it on speaker. “Why would you care about my opinion?”
“I did the right thing, Leslie. Don’t I get any credit?”
“What do you want from me, Max?”
“I want you to see I’m human.”
He sounded sincere, but she refused to be sucked in by his words.
“I’ve done bad things, but I have a heart too.”
She sunk her toes into the thick, maroon rug. “I’m glad you did the right thing, but it doesn’t erase the pain you’ve caused Osana.”
“So I get no credit, huh?”
“You’re up to something.” She rocked, tucking her arm under the other one. “I can’t see what the angle is though since I’m broke.”
“This was a waste of time. Bye—”
“Uh, where do you go from here?”
“Why?” He snickered. “Are you concerned about me?”
“Please,” she grumbled. “I wanna make sure your ass stays far away.”
“I’ll be heading out of Santa Barbara soon. On to the next one, right?”
“On to your next scheme, huh?” She scratched her head. “I hope you don’t do anything crazy for money.”
“I’ll do what I gotta go,” he said in a dry tone. “But, I won’t interfere in Osana or Shad’s life again. That’s a promise, and I’m a man who sticks to my word.”
“I’m a woman who owns up to what she feels so I’ll be honest.” She exhaled. “I never believed you killed Preston. You’ve done bad things but killing someone is something I didn’t think you’d ever do.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Yeah.” She cleared her throat to shift the tense conversation. “I’m hanging up now. Take care of yourself, Max.”
“Oh, we’ll be seeing each other again, Leslie.”
She straightened the towel. “I hope not, but why do you say that?”
“Because something tells me we have unfinished business.” He made a kissing sound into the phone. “Try not to get too bored without me around.”
Click.
“He’s crazy.” Leslie stared at the phone, a tiny part of her wanting to see him again. “Hell, maybe I’m the one who’s crazy.”
THE END
Osana, Shad, Max, and Leslie will return in book 2!
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