Finding Love At Life's Crossroads: An Interracial Novel

by Skylar Ward

  How am I going to wake up and do my job like nothing ever happened between us? “The time flew by,” Efia whispered.

  “I agree,” Ace said. “I lost my appetite, all I want to do is hold you, do you mind?”

  Grateful that he felt the same, Efia placed her glass on the table. “Why are all the blinds drawn?”

  Ace tilted Efia’s chin, kissing her lips. “You wouldn’t want anyone to say that I closed all the blinds as soon as you arrived, do you?”

  “Do you think people are watching us that closely?”

  “Nowadays, you can never be too careful—gossip sells. And often, it is the workers at the resorts who sell the information, since they are the ones who know who the players are.”

  Efia admired that Ace was always thinking ahead, but it also reminded her of her own naïveté. “Makes sense,” she finally agreed.

  “Let’s go in the bedroom,” Ace said as he draped his hand across her shoulders.

  “How did it go with Millicent from housekeeping?” Efia asked as they left the central area. “Did she give you any dirty looks?”

  “No, but I am certain she thinks I am a lush, after finding a half-empty bottle of wine on the floor beside the bed.”

  “You think of everything, don’t you?”

  “Right now, all I can think of is …” Ace’s voice trailed off as he reached down and picked up Efia, throwing her over his shoulder. “I don’t want to waste another second talking. I don’t want you to forget me, Efia Kwateng.”

  As Ace made his way to the bedroom, Efia inhaled his scent, filling her senses with his clean, masculine odor.

  I will never forget you, Ace Davenport, not even when I am another man’s wife.

  Chapter 17

  Thursday, 10:30 P.M

  Ace relaxed with Efia sprawled on top of him, her hair almost covering his face. To Ace, even though she had gotten under his skin in such a short time, it felt right. The thought of not seeing Efia—not touching her, unimaginable.

  He vowed to find a way to further their relationship when Efia got back to New York. With his mind made up, he ran his hands down her back, cupping her bare ass. Efia pressed her lips to his throat, scorching him in the process.

  “Damn!” Ace said, trying to hold his arousal at bay.

  He needed to pace himself because he intended to keep her in his bed until the wee hours of the morning.

  Lifting her head, Efia ran her fingers through Ace’s hair, pushing it back from his hairline.

  “Will you stop by tomorrow before I leave?” Ace asked.

  “I prefer to say goodbye tonight. Maria will be there. I am not a good actress. If she sees me around you, she will know that something happened between us.”

  “Fair enough. In that case, no rest for you,” Ace said, flipping Efia onto her back.

  She broke into fits of giggles, the reverberation like a symphony. Recalling his father’s words, “When that special person comes along…” Ace placed both knees on either side of Efia’s body, trapping her in place. Lazily, his eyes washed over her as though he were committing every detail of her body to memory. When his gaze rested on her pouty lips, he took her face between his large hands.

  “So, beautiful,” he whispered.

  Reaching up, Efia yanked his head down, his lips meeting hers in a soft kiss, and his shaft brushing against her core. They both groaned in harmony at the intimate contact. Efia cupped his cock through the latex, sending deluges of desire shooting through his body.

  Removing his lips from hers, Ace lowered his head, sucking a dark, taut, berry into his mouth. Efia raked her nails over his scalp while arching her back to give him full access. Ace released the bud with a plopping sound and moved to the other one, giving it equal treatment.

  “OH! OHHH! OHHHH!”

  Enjoying her body’s response to his teasing, Ace grazed his teeth over her nipple, sending her into a tormented groan. He reached between their bodies, locating her nub. He stroked it. Efia’s moans continued, prompting Ace to increase the pressure on her nipple and her clitoris. The double torture having the effect he desired as she fought to evade him. There was no escape as his body kept her right where he wanted her.

  “Come,” Ace said and shifted to his side.

  Efia moved into position with her back to his front. Lifting her top leg, he exposed her moisten core. Grasping his clad cock, he ran it along her wet folds. Efia gritted her teeth, and her vaginal walls clutched his girth.

  Ace angled himself, delivering a series of slapping strokes consistent with a man who knew his way around a woman’s body. Slowing the tempo, he prolonged their intimate moments as if he wanted to lose himself in the warmth of Efia’s depths and imprint himself on her soul. Before long, they were each howling their release into the night.

  <>

  Efia was no expert at lovemaking, but even she had noticed the difference in the way Ace touched her. She welcomed his drawn-out intimacy, savoring the joy of each stroke, each kiss, each gentle touch, even Ace’s groans she cherished. Each memento serving as a reminder that she had given it all to Ace Davenport—her innocence, and her heart. As Efia rode the final wave of their lovemaking, and another tremor ripped through her core, Ace’s body followed suit, and they fell over the brink together.

  <>

  Two o’clock, Friday morning, now fully dressed, Ace and Efia stood in the living room of the Fiesta Villa, his home for the past week.

  “I have something for you,” Efia said.

  “You shouldn’t waste your money, Efia.”

  “I felt terrible about your shirt.”

  Ace took the box from Efia and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Open it,” Efia said.

  Ace opened the box, removing a pair of black sunglasses. “Versace? Efia you shouldn’t have done this. This is way too, costly.”

  “There was a sale, and I got an extra employees’ discount.”

  “You are amazing, do you know that?” He put the sunglasses on. “What do you think?”

  “You look exactly the way I had imagined you would.”

  “And how was that?” Ace asked, taking her into his arms.

  “Like a mogul.”

  “I will forever treasure these, thank you,” Ace responded, his voice, soft and sincere. Reluctantly, he let Efia go and removed the sunglasses. A serious expression covered his face. “We have to go.”

  “I will miss you,” Efia said.

  There were many things he wanted to say to Efia, but he knew he had to tread lightly. Ace touched his lips to hers, savoring the contact. You will see me, Efia Kwateng! Ace mentally vowed, but he whispered, “I will miss you, too.”

  As they headed toward the door and out into the fresh morning air, silence became their third companion. When they arrived at the employees’ abode, Efia went through the usual ritual and was soon on the other side of the door running up the stairs. Within, seconds, a message came through on his iPad.

  Efia: Have a safe flight.

  Ace peeked through the glass door for several minutes. He couldn’t remember ever being this enthralled with anyone in such a short period of time. Turning away, he slowly made his way back to the Fiesta Villa. “This is not over, sweetheart,” he whispered.

  Chapter 18

  “Efia, Are you all right?” Ashley asked.

  Efia pressed her fingers to her temple. “I needed a moment alone.”

  “Did you speak to your dad?”

  Efia shook her head.

  “If it is not your dad, then what is it?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Come on, Efia, spill it.”

  Efia’s eyes burned with unshed tears, and she swallowed hard.

  “I should get some sleep,” she said.

  “I am not letting you by until you tell me what the hell is going on.”

  Efia took a deep breath, hoping to stymie the loss she felt once the door had closed separating her from Ace.

  “He’s leaving in
a few hours,” she said.

  “I assume that you are talking about Davenport.”

  “Yes. Who else would I be talking about?”

  Ashley folded her arms. “He did more than kiss you, didn’t he?”

  Efia’s eyes dropped to the floor.

  “Efia?”

  “Yes, he did. Are you happy now?”

  “I don’t understand why you had such a hard time telling me. It’s no big deal. I told you about Michael ten minutes after it happened.

  Remembering the text Ashley had sent her back then, Efia shook her head. “I still can’t believe you did that.”

  “Hey, I was proud of being the first one in the group to go all the way.”

  Even with a heavy heart, Efia managed to smile.

  “Think of it this way,” Ashley clasped Efia’s shoulder. “When we have our next get together with our friends, you can tell them about your walk on the dark side with a stranger.”

  “Do you think they will believe me?”

  “Not a chance in hell,” Ashley replied. “They won’t believe a word of it.”

  Efia hugged Ashley. “Thanks for everything.”

  “You love Davenport, huh?”

  “How do you know?” Efia asked.

  “Because we all fall in love with the first guy who makes us sing.”

  “Ace is not just any guy.”

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know. And I bet he can walk on water, too, right?”

  “There you go with your craziness. I am going to bed.”

  “In a few weeks, you won’t even remember this guy’s name.” Ashley wrinkled her brows. “Trust me on that.”

  That will never happen! “You haven’t forgotten Michael’s name, and it has been over a year.”

  Ashley turned her focus to something on the floor.

  “I have a love-hate history with that fool,” she whispered.

  <>

  Next morning, Efia awoke at 9:30 A.M, to find Ashley had already left. She checked her text messages, discovering she had missed two texts from Maria.

  Maria: Take the day off. You deserve it!

  Maria: I received a message from the billing department. Ace Davenport left you a 5k gratuity.

  Efia reread the second text. Unable to summon an ounce of positive energy, she climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over her head.

  Chapter 19

  Boston, Massachusetts

  Ace entered the lobby of S&E Private Equities Corporation, dressed in jeans, Polo shirt, and sunglasses to stares and double takes from several employees waiting for the elevator. Feeling a bit mischievous for the first time in years, he skipped his private elevator, choosing instead to ride the car with the employees.

  “Is that you, Davenport?”

  Ace peered over his shades at the older, balding man. “Yes, Stanley. It’s me.”

  “God, I barely recognized you,” Stanley said. “You look refreshed. Welcome back to the land of the living.”

  Someone on board gasped while another coughed as others focused on the numbers on the door panel, and a few inspected their shoes.

  Stanley slapped his forehead. “Forgive me, Davenport, I meant no disrespect.”

  “None was taken, Stanley,” Ace said as the elevator came to a stop.

  Ace suspected most of his employees had similar thoughts as Stanley, but would never give voice to those views. It was always the older employees who had worked under his father who had the least filter.

  The door opened, and all the staff filed off except for Ace and Stanley. Ace smiled as the employees tried their best to avoid eye contact. The elevator door closed, and it climbed fifteen floors and opened. Ace and Stanley stepped off.

  “Have a nice day, Stanley.”

  “I’ll try my best,” Stanley said, heading in the opposite direction.

  Ace continued down the hallway, greeting the receptionist as he went by.

  When he entered the central office, Mary’s head popped up from her computer screen.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Didn’t you arrive back an hour or so ago?”

  “I came straight here,” Ace replied.

  “You weren’t expected back until Monday, I guess you missed us.”

  “I will be in my office,” Ace said, making no attempt to hide the sliver of a smile on his face.

  “Welcome back,” Mary said, her grey eyes, scanning Ace’s face. “You look fabulous.”

  I feel terrific! Ace thought as he neared his private office. His reflections turned to Efia, and his smile deepened. Entering the room, he sat at his desk and fired up his computer. He opened Word. No, that’s too impersonal. He lifted his Mont Blanc from the pen stand and drew a writing pad closer. Twenty minutes later, Ace affixed his signature to the bottom of the note.

  “Too formal.” He grimaced. “Who knew writing a simple note would be so difficult?” Ace tore the sheet of paper from the pad and dropped it on top of his desk where it joined the other five crushed pages. Thinking of Efia in bed energized him. He picked up the pen and paper and started over.

  Dear Efia,

  Thank you for an enjoyable stay at Calico Cays Resort. I am looking forward to seeing you when you return stateside. My first order of business is to teach you to swim. I am enclosing my cell phone and office numbers, also my email. Please feel free to use them.

  See you soon,

  Ace Davenport.

  Satisfied, he tore the sheet of paper from the pad and folded it. Leaning across his desk, he pressed a button on the desk phone. “Cheryl, can you bring me an International FedEx Airbill and an envelope?”

  Minutes later someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  Cheryl Armstrong, an African-American woman in her late twenties with striking features entered. Ace silently compared Cheryl’s face to Efia. In his view, she didn’t compare.

  Cheryl cleared her throat.

  Ace reached for the FedEx envelope and Airbill.

  “Here you go.”

  “Thank you, Cheryl.”

  “Do you want me to take that to the mailroom?”

  “No, that won’t be necessary,” Ace said.

  “Is that all?” Cheryl asked.

  “That’s all for now.”

  “Okay,” Cheryl said and left.

  As Ace filled out the Airbill, his office intercom buzzed. He hit the speaker. “Davenport.”

  “What type of flowers do you want me to order this month?” Mary asked.

  Silence.

  The FedEx Airbill dropped from Ace’s hand. “Umm,” he paused, collecting his thoughts. “Roses.”

  “Oh?” Mary said. “Is that all?”

  Ace couldn’t think of a suitable response. He knew the roses paled in comparison to the elegant and exotic flowers he had sent each month since his wife and child were laid to rest. Those times he had put thought into his choices. He swiped his hand over his face. How could this be? His newfound happiness was already wreaking havoc on everything he held dear.

  “Yes,” he finally said.

  “What color?”

  “Red.” Ace pressed two fingers to his temple. “No, make that white.”

  “Okay. I am on it.”

  He hadn’t thought about Jodi or his child in at least two days or was it three? He left his office and entered his private bathroom. He glared at his reflection. The sunken eyes and hollow cheeks he had gotten used to were no longer there. Instead, bright blue eyes and a face filled with light gleamed back at him.

  I don’t deserve this! Ace turned the faucet on and leaned over the sink. He cupped water in his hands, running it over his face. How did this happen? Jodi is the love of my life. This can’t happen again. Unable to tamp down the guilt, he turned the tap off and dried his hands and face. What the hell was I thinking? he wondered. Ace returned to his desk and summoned his driver. Next, he woke up his sleeping computer.

  To: Drew Palmer@resortsworldwidecorp.com

  Fro
m: Ace Davenport@S&Eprivateequitiescorp.com

  Date: March 18, 2011

  Subject: Efia Kwateng

  Ms. Kwateng works as a Guest Associate at Calico Cays Resort. The NEXT available assistant manager’s job in the hospitality area of the company is HERS.

  Ace Davenport.

  <>

  Within minutes, Ace’s computer beeped signaling an incoming new email.

  To: Ace Davenport@S&Eprivateequitiescorp.com

  From: DrewPalmer@resortsworldwidecorp.com

  Subject: Efia Kwateng

  Glad that you were impressed with our talented staff. HR is on notice.

  Let’s schedule dinner!

  Drew Palmer

  <>

  Ace opened the FedEx envelope and removed the note. He gathered the other discarded notes, slipping them into the shredder. He opened a drawer and removed a checkbook. He reached for the notepad.

  Ten minutes later, Ace left the office. He handed Mary the sealed FedEx envelope and a box of chocolate truffles he had picked up at Exuma International Airport.

  “Thank you,” Mary said. She hit a button on her phone. “Can you come in here, Cheryl?”

  “If you need me, I will be at home,” Ace said.

  Mary’s brows furrowed, and her face appeared pinched. She slid a hand over her graying blonde hair. “What’s wrong?”

  “I will see you on Monday,” Ace replied.

  Cheryl appeared. “Oh, chocolates, can I open these?”

  Mary handed Cheryl the FedEx envelope. “Knock yourself out.”

  As Ace walked away, Mary turned to Cheryl, “Can you tell me what the hell happened to the guy who came in here, earlier?”

  Enough! Ace thought. My employees should not have to ride this emotional roller coaster with me.

  <>

  Thirty minutes later, Ace entered his mansion and paused. He placed his luggage down, trying to think of the last time he had used the entrance—he couldn’t remember. He moved further into the great room, and his pulse quickened as he neared the mantel.

  He raised his eyes to the portrait of Jodi. He ran his hand over her image. “I am sorry, Jo,” he whispered. “I don’t know what came over me. It won’t happen again.” Ace touched his fingers to his mouth and then to Jodi’s lips. “You will always be in my heart.”