by Ray, Shamara
He looked surprised. “I thought you were going to just set some parameters.”
“I didn’t think he could handle it. I thought you were going to suggest a liaison?”
“Apparently she decided she couldn’t handle it.”
I got up and went around to the front of the desk. “I was just about to check the progress in the spa and restaurant.”
“I’ll come with you. We can talk along the way.”
Cain stepped aside so I could exit the office. He placed his hand on the small of my back as I passed him. I looked at him and smiled. He was such a gentleman. We headed back down the hallway toward the reception area.
“We should start with the lounge and private group waiting area.”
We walked in the direction of the lounge. “You know we’ve made quite an investment here,” he said.
“Yes, we have.”
“It’s ninety percent completed and so far it looks spectacular.”
Cain held the door open to the lounge. Fluffy chairs and ottomans were interspersed throughout the room. Ivory and tan notes complemented the pale golden tones of the room accents. “I love how everything has come together.” I marveled at how lush it looked.
“Did you feel a sense of excitement when you came through the doors this morning?”
“Each and every time.”
I roamed the room, taking in all the details and mentally noting what I wanted to add. Cain followed behind, close on my heels. I stopped to study a painting on the wall and thought he leaned in to smell my hair. I peeked over my shoulder and he was looking at the picture.
“It would be a shame if we didn’t see this project through,” he ventured.
“It would.”
“Together.”
I turned to face him. “I agree.”
“So, here’s what I think should happen.” He took my hands in his. “I’ll stay on the project. You’re still the boss. And if you have concerns we’ll address them together, as partners. You’ll come to me first, and I’ll listen. Does that work for you?”
“Absolutely.”
We held hands as we continued the tour of our nearly completed establishment. The steam rooms had been redone with the new tiles. There were also heated stone benches and recliners, recessed lighting. It was all very inviting. The locker rooms were a veritable retreat in their own right. Comfortable oversized seating, spacious lockers, vessel sinks and luxurious showers.
Cain squeezed my hand. “They got it right.”
We checked out each treatment room, and as we walked in our senses were flooded. Warm colors, soft lighting, and the massage tables I had ordered were perfect. “Everything is just as I had envisioned.”
“You ready to see the restaurant?” He motioned to the door. “We both know that’s the true test.”
I laughed as I exited the room. “I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. Hal knows he had to get the restaurant right.”
We entered the dining room side-by-side. It was bright, open, and gave me an immediate sense of vitality. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“The amber creates such a richness to the décor.”
The central lighting fixture had been replaced and was the primary focal point upon entering the dining room. We inspected the private dining room and then made our way to the kitchen.
I stepped inside first. I stood in one spot and let my eyes travel through the room, taking in every piece of equipment, the flooring, the lighting, workstation, racks and sinks. Slowly, I walked through every inch of the space. “This is the heart of Genesis.” I turned toward Cain and smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re the heart of Genesis.” He came over to where I was standing. “You’re also my heart.”
“Thank you, baby.”
“We’ve been through some stuff lately.”
“Yes indeed.”
“Do you know what it made me realize?”
“What?”
“It made me realize that you are an essential part of my life. Not having you around or not speaking to you isn’t an option for me. My pop said something interesting to me the other day about creating rituals for love and living. I want to do that with you. I want to be able to look back one day and say that Jade and I knew how to love each other, talk to each other, and enjoy each other, because we started our own traditions together. There’s one ritual that I can think of that we could share year after year together. We can celebrate our anniversary.” He went down on one knee. I stopped breathing. I stared at him silently, in the quiet of the kitchen, trying to comprehend what was occurring. He reached into his pocket and my breath caught. He opened a small, black box, revealing a glittering princess-cut diamond ring. “Here in the heart of Genesis, feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle anything, I’m asking you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I said, crying and laughing simultaneously. He slipped the ring on my finger and stood up, pulling me into an embrace. “I love you,” I cried.
“I love you.”
I gazed at the ring on my finger and shrieked. “We’re engaged?”
“We’re engaged.”
“I love you, baby.” I stroked his cheek. “You even remembered what I said about being refreshed and renewed.”
“I listen to what you say and I get it. This is our new beginning, our fresh start.”
Hal knocked on the door. “Excuse me, but there are a few people here to see you.”
“Thanks, Hal,” Cain replied. We kissed in the middle of the kitchen.
I reluctantly pulled away. “That’s probably my appointment.”
Cain and I returned to the lobby. I greeted the product rep and her two colleagues and introduced Cain.
She pointed to her bag. “I have my products, robes, linens and my two masseurs. Show me to your treatment rooms and let’s demo some products.”
• • •
CAIN STUCK HIS HEAD IN my treatment room as the product rep was leaving. I told her we’d be in touch. He closed and locked the door behind her, leaning against it in his white robe. “What did you think?” he asked.
“I think you give better massages than the professionals.”
“That’s because I know that body.”
“This body?” I exposed one of my naked shoulders from beneath the robe.
“Mmm.” He came over to the table and kissed my shoulder. “Yup, that’s my fiancée’s body.”
I beamed at Cain calling me his fiancée. He leaned in and kissed me deeply. I pulled away and stared into my future husband’s eyes. His hands started tugging at the sash on my robe. I smiled. “Here?”
He nodded. “Here.”
“Now?”
“Right now.”
If my man wanted to live a little in the here and now, how could I not oblige? I dropped my robe, lay back and enjoyed our new genesis.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Hey, reader! Here we are once again. Thank you for coming along as I spied on Jade and Cain. When I finished writing my first novel, Recipe for Love, I was already curious about what was in store for the couple and their romance. As we all know, life happens and I wanted to explore what was occurring in their lives. I hope you enjoyed the check-in!
Zane—author, publisher and producer extraordinaire—you are a wonder and a blessing! Charmaine, it’s so good to know you understand the journey. Thank you for helping me along the pathway. Yona Deshommes, your radiance is infectious and I appreciate you. Shine on, sis!
Thanks to the Strebor family, an amazing collective of talent. Michelle Janine Robinson, the “art of literature” is enriched by your contributions. Allison Hobbs and Suzetta Perkins, I’m motivated by your bodies of work. I’m at number four and counting!
M.A. Bailey, thanks for all of the encouragement. You’re one of my favorite accountability partners. I just scratched an item off my to-do list! Johnathan, I appreciate your Books, Beauty and Stuff! You entertain, support and provide beauty tips. I don’t
think it gets any better than that.
Kelli Burgos, Linda Trice and Kelly Starling Lyons, thanking you for sharing your creativity and inspiring me to draw from the creative well.
Sara Camilli, I’m still writing one word at a time. Thank you!
To everyone that picked up a copy of Rituals for Love, thank you. I’m grateful for your support. Until we meet again, let’s keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Keep it spicy and stay tuned…
www.ShamaraRay.com
www.facebook.com/Shamara-Ray
Twitter: @ShamaraRay
Photo courtesy of Shamara Ray
Shamara Ray is a graduate of Syracuse University. She first enticed readers with her debut novel, Recipe for Love. Her next offerings, Close Quarters and You Might Just Get Burned, continued to delight audiences. Ray has a penchant for the culinary arts and enjoys entertaining friends and family in her Long Island home. She is currently working on her next novel.
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ALSO BY SHAMARA RAY
You Might Just Get Burned
Close Quarters
Recipe for Love
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Strebor Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
© 2015 by Shamara Ray
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever. For information address Strebor Books, P.O. Box 6505, Largo, MD 20792.
ISBN 978-1-59309-586-4
ISBN 978-1-4767-6189-3 (ebook)
LCCN 2014936770
First Strebor Books trade paperback edition January 2015
Cover design: www.mariondesigns.com
Cover photograph: © Keith Saunders/Keith Saunders Photos
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