Leaning over, he kissed her full on the mouth, and Chloe’s pained anger subsided. Taking her reins back, she walked the mare ahead. Devon soon followed behind. “You say he was tall, dark, handsome and filthy rich. His courtship was exciting. So why didn’t you marry him?”
Chloe looked back at him in shock and saw that his expression was serious. Sighing, she answered him, “When I decide to marry a man I want him to have the kind of love for me where I’m the only woman he could ever love. I want every bit of energy not used by his heart to pump life into his body, to be given to me. I need that man to be my man and mine alone, because I plan to give him all of those things in return. Fidelity, honesty, trust, passion, laughter, tenderness, protectiveness, children, family, ’til death do us part . . . and love.”
Chloe’s eyes clouded as she thought of Calvin. She had foolishly thought she found that man, when instead she had a boy disguised in a man’s body. Shaking her head slowly, Chloe laughed low and husky. “I can never seem to find the one man with all those qualities. There’s either passion with no fidelity, or . . . tenderness and laughter with no passion, or passion without love.”
The body but not the heart.
Sadly, she realized fully that the last phrase quantified her relationship with Devon, but she didn’t expound on the point. “I guess my limits are set too high and unrealistic, huh?”
Devon now rode alongside her and looked over at this regally beautiful woman, seeing yet another dimension to the complexity of her. He was awed by the feelings she shared with him, moved by the sincerity of her words, and pained by the hurt that lurked in the depths of her beautiful hazel eyes. She was looking at him now, waiting for an answer and the desire to have her in his arms filled him. Not for sex, but just to comfort her.
But he just lowered his head, his voice husky and low, barely above a whisper. “No Chloe, your limits are what you deserve.”
They rode in silence, each deep in their own thoughts, until Devon nudged his stallion in front of Chloe’s mare. “Follow me.”
Chloe did shadow closely behind his horse at a gallop as they crossed the grassy area, veering off the marked trail. He slowed as they came to a tightly knit area of trees resembling a dense forest. She doubted that the area could even be breached, until he did just that through a small clearing. It could not be found by anyone who didn’t know it was there. Curious, she followed behind him.
They followed the dense trail for nearly an eighth of a mile before it suddenly opened to a splendid grove of cottonwood with a glen beside a small clear pond. The grass was thick and emerald green, and the flowers were a mosaic of lavenders, ruby reds, topaz and amethyst with scabiosa, daylilies, mums and vines of clematis.
Chloe gasped in shock and surprise as she dismounted and handed the reins to a waiting Devon. He then loosely tethered them to a tree along with his own reins. She turned to question him and instantly found her open mouth filled with the heat of his tongue, and her body wrapped tightly in his arms. Giving in to the pleasure he gave, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him just as tightly. She felt as if her heart was about to burst with pleasure.
Slowly he broke the kiss, raising his head from hers only a fraction. “You really are beautiful and amazing, inside and out,” he said huskily, his hands trembling as he traced the side of her face with his index finger.
As Chloe closed her eyes, leaning her face toward his hand, she sighed, “Thank you.”
So few people in the business had realized or even cared that yes, she had an inner beauty that was as treasured as her outward appearances. His compliment was simple perfection.
Devon lowered his hand to slowly raise her T-shirt over her head. He undressed her, each shedding of clothing exposing some exquisite part of her body to his eager eyes until she stood naked, proud and unashamed before him. “Chloe,” he whispered in awe, before lowering his head to tenderly kiss every inch of her upturned face.
With a guttural moan he lowered her to the ground, her body blanketed by the plush layers of sweet emerald grass. Trembling, she watched him as he stood and removed his clothing. Her eyes devoured the tantalizing sight of his sleek, muscled physique. It was a body sculptured from years of hard work, and she appreciated every bit of her African warrior.
She felt totally complete as he lowered himself to the ground and gathered her into his arms, handling her like a precious jewel. She felt anxious but safe as she watched him slowly enclose his hardness with a condom. Now they both were protected and able to enjoy their rapture. They made love with slow intensity that shook them both. Their warm bodies touched, his hardness inside of her sweet softness. No words were spoken, but they both felt the new heightened awareness of one another as they pleased each other. Their bodies molded in a perfect fit. It was like they were made for each other. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Together they climaxed, he with a deep moan against her breast and she with a sigh of his name as she stroked the hard expanse of his back. Their arms were tightly wrapped around each other as if they were afraid to let go. Their hearts were pounding, bodies damp with perspiration, feelings of tenderness and some other emotion surrounding them with a warm glow.
A long time later, arm in arm they walked to the pond a few feet away, naked and unashamed. Slowly they slipped beneath the cool wet depths. They swam, enjoying the feel of the water on their skin, never venturing far from each other.
Like children, they laughed and played around, splashing water and chasing one another.
The afternoon passed at a leisurely pace for them as they dined on the roast beef sandwiches, fresh fruit and bottled spring water that Devon had surprised her with from his saddle bag.
Neither bothered to dress in their secluded haven as they lay on a blanket he also brought along, but had been too eager earlier to retrieve. The horses were their only witnesses and who would they tell? They talked, with Chloe answering many of the questions that Devon had pondered concerning her and her career. She spoke with false bravado about the death of her mother, although the pain was still etched in her beautiful face. And her voice was resigned as she filled him in on her career: how she had been discovered, her accomplishments and finally how she had begun to feel weighed down by the work she once loved. Briefly she spoke of an ex-boyfriend, Calvin, but offered no real details.
Devon admitted to himself that the feeling stirring in his gut was jealousy at the thought of her with another man.
And then he talked about his life growing up with a twin and the tricks they used to play on people, especially unsuspecting girls after puberty hit. He obviously cared for his parents deeply as he spoke of their deaths. He spoke of college and struggling to rebuild the business their father began with pride.
He didn’t mention Elissa, and Chloe didn’t let on that she already knew about his first true love. She took the omission as meaning he was still too deeply hurt to even speak about her. Not that she had given him many details about Calvin, either.
They both laughed as they watched others pass on the marked trail, secluded by the dense area of trees. They dressed slowly, packing up the remnants of their cold lunch. Chloe untied her horse and mounted easily. Devon did the same and rode up beside her.
“Chloe.”
She turned at the softness of his voice saying her name. He had picked a long-stemmed brilliant scarlet daylily and handed it to her with a boyishly charming smile. He said nothing and just rode off in front of her. The flower was named so because it would last for only one day when cut, but was beautiful nonetheless. Chloe inhaled its fragrant scent. The simple and sweet gesture moved and confused her.
∞
It was after four when they pulled into the driveway. Chloe grimaced at seeing Alicia’s compact parked behind her SUV in the driveway, looking even more battered and beaten next to the luxury of the Navigator.
“Won’t it look suspicious that we’ve been together all day?” she asked innocently, knowing they had agreed to
keep their business just that . . . their business.
Devon hated the anger that rose in him as he thought for a brief moment that she was ashamed of being with him, but when he looked into the depths of her cat-shaped hazel eyes he saw no hint of it there. Besides, they had both agreed to keep this between just them.
Laughing, he leaned over for a brief taste of her sultry full lips. “We’ve been shopping for antique furniture in Charleston.”
They left the truck and walked into the house. Alicia was lounging on the living room couch, the venom in her eyes obvious as she glared at her. Chloe was startled by the pure hatred in the woman’s dull brown depths.
Nana Lil walked into the living room, wiping her frail slender hands on a plaid dish towel. “Where’d you two go off to?”
“Charleston.”
“Hilton Head.”
They both spoke simultaneously and glared at each other before looking away. Devon answered, “We went shopping for antiques in Charleston.”
Nana Lil gloated. “Yeah right, pee on my head and tell me it’s raining.”
Her laughter remained with them even after she walked back into the kitchen.
“Devon, can I talk to you?” Alicia rose and came to stand by him, placing her hand on his arms. Pointedly, she looked at Chloe. “In private.”
Chloe wanted to shout “hell no” into the woman’s face but instead she swallowed her irritation and smiled sweetly and falsely. “I’ll just go upstairs.”
Alicia waited until Chloe’s retreating figure disappeared up the stairs before she turned back to him. “Let’s walk outside.”
Devon yawned and looked down at his friend. “Alicia, can’t this wait? I really would like to go see what’s happening at Charlie’s after I shower.”
“No, it can’t,” she insisted.
Sighing, he let her lead him out of the house and onto the porch, where he flopped onto the swing. “So what’s up, Al?”
He listened patiently, his handsome face serious and expressionless as he focused on her as she spoke of the argument she and Chloe had. This bit of information surprised him but he didn’t show it.
Alicia carried on, her voice condemning as she lied easily, accusing Chloe of looking down her nose at her and picking the argument. For good measure, she voiced her opinions of Chloe, using many of the same terms Devon had found himself using . . . before he really knew her.
“The woman ain’t nothing but trouble.” Alicia feigned tears, causing her voice to quiver as she saw no visible reaction from him. “I know I’m not a famous supermodel, Devon, but I never did anything to that woman. I was a big fan of hers and look how she makes me feel like I’m nothing compared to her.”
Devon immediately rose to pull Alicia’s petite frame into his arms. This was his friend and she seemed very upset. “If you two don’t get along, then it’s best to keep your distance from one another, right?”
Alicia stiffened. That definitely was not what she wanted to hear.
He patted her back in an act of comfort. “Don’t cry, Al. Regardless of who it is, never let anyone know they’ve hurt you.”
She leaned back and looked up into his handsome face. She was disappointed by the friendly love she saw there. “We all should’ve listened to your warnings about her. I just wish she would get the hell out of Holtsville, just like you . . . right?”
How did he feel about everything Alicia just told him? He didn’t know, but he did know that he was in no rush at all to see Chloe leave him.
∞
Chloe descended the stairs, her eyes widening as she saw Devon wrap Alicia’s frame into his arms through the windows looking out onto the porch. She knew if it was at all possible, her smooth bronze complexion would become green with envy. Fuming, she stomped down the rest of the stairs and into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong, Chloe?”
“Nothing, Nana Lil.” She took a seat at the table, drumming her nails on the polished wood.
Lil eyed Chloe as she stirred a pot on the stove. “I didn’t feel like cooking a big dinner, but there’s some smothered chicken and rice if you’re hungry.”
Distracted, Chloe nodded. “Thanks.”
She’s probably telling him about our argument earlier this week, Chloe was thinking as she again glanced down the hall at the front door.
Lil watched with amusement as Chloe jumped nervously when the front door opened and closed, turning her attention to the salt and pepper shakers as if nonchalant. She shook her head and her thin shoulders shook with restrained laughter.
Devon walked into the kitchen alone, his eyes resting briefly on the back of Chloe’s head before shifting to look at his grandmother.
“Where’s Alicia, Vonnie?”
“She, uh, went home.” He raised a brow at the stiffness of Chloe’s back. He thought he heard her mutter “good riddance” under her breath.
“What’s that, Chloe?” he asked.
Chloe scraped the chair back noisily, moving to stand. Stiffly she faced him, still angry at seeing Alicia in his arms.
Nana Lil smelled trouble about to brew, and she was not in the mood to hear one of their explosive arguments with one of her headaches coming on. “Time out children,” she said, holding up her hands.
They both watched as she fixed a glass of water. “Go to your comers, come out strong, and good night.”
Lil left the kitchen and soon the firm shutting of her bedroom door was heard.
“I suppose she told you we argued earlier this week,” Chloe snapped as she again faced him.
Devon nodded slowly as he leaned casually against the archway, his arms crossed on his massive chest. “Yes she did.”
“I also suppose that she told you I instigated it.” Her voice was nasty.
“Yup.” He started to smile at the incredulous look on her beautiful face at his answer.
“And I suppose you believe that, don’t you?”
Oh no, I’m not falling into that trap. “Why don’t you tell me what happened? I wasn’t there.”
Chloe sighed, feeling like a child being questioned by her parent. She explained to him about what caused the argument.
“Are you sure Alicia did say those things?”
When Chloe jerked her head up to glare at him, he knew he said the wrong thing. Inwardly he groaned.
Angrily, Chloe stepped closer to him. “I wouldn’t expect you to rationalize the truth.” Her finger angrily poked into his chest as she spoke through clenched teeth. “You can’t even see that the little flat-chested dwarf has the hots for you, you dope.”
His face became shocked as he looked at her. “Now you’re being ridiculous. Alicia is my friend. Can’t a man have a female friend?”
Chloe threw her hands up in exasperation. “Can you see the nose on your face or is that invisible to you too?”
With that she gave him an angry shove and flew down the hall and up the stairs to her room. She was steaming with anger, but she was also disappointed that their beautiful day was spoiled.
Sighing heavily, he pushed his large muscled figure off the wall and left the house, not even bothering to shower. Some gambling and a cold beer at Charlie’s was what he needed right now.
Badly!
Chapter Thirteen
It had rained all night and the leaves glistened with moisture as the newly risen sun shone brightly upon the trees. The scent of woods, pines and wildflowers were in the October air. Unfortunately the front of the land was muddy and unsightly, unlike the perimeter where the grounds had not been cleared. Chloe glanced down at her Movado watch, her slender body draped across the three-seater wrought iron swing she had installed onto the porch just yesterday.
It was seven thirty in the morning.
One week ago she finally moved into her dream house, just one week after it was completed. The house had passed county inspection, and the electricity, her unpublished telephone line and cable services were all installed. Full insurance coverage was paid up. This house was he
rs.
The small town of Holtsville had bustled with activity as the trucks began to roll in earnest with her furniture deliveries. Because of her careful planning, Chloe knew where she wanted every piece of furniture to go in the large house. The twins had brought the items she had in their storeroom on the back of their pickup trucks. She had done the interior decorating in every room and was overwhelmingly pleased with her results.
Sighing, she sipped from her cup of herbal tea before walking through both the open black wrought iron screen door and the carved wooden door to enter her inner sanctum. She smiled with pride at what she saw.
The foyer, with the multicolored terra-cotta tiles on the floor, circled out like a rising sun. The only decorations she put in were deeply stained mahogany side serving tables on either side of the front entrance. Neoclassic, gold-framed African motif paintings adorned the bright white walls and a large modern chandelier hung from the center of the domed ceiling. The navy, maroon and gray hues of the tiles were a treat to the eyes by themselves and she hadn’t wanted to distract from that.
To the left through a large domed archway was the oval shaped dining room. To the right of the foyer was a similar entrance leading into the sunken living room decorated in shades of navy, powder blue, and white with silver accents. Straight down the middle of the semi-circled foyer was a long, wide hallway where the tile continued.
Chloe closed the front door and walked down this hallway, the walls framed with photos of herself, her mother and Anika. To the left was the brightly lit yellow-and-white kitchen of her dreams, but she passed that archway and the two doors leading to the guest rooms on the right to come to the end of the hall where her indoor pool was the circular centerpiece of the house.
The hall divided around the glass-enclosed pool, with the hall to the left leading to her master suite and the other to the sauna and gym. Two doors were on either side of the circular room.
As she did every morning, Chloe swam ten laps in the heated oval pool, allowing the Mediterranean blues and sea greens of the tiles to soothe her. Here she had placed poolside chaise lounges of deep royal blue around the pool. Silver racks held royal blue, emerald green and white folded plush towels. A clear plastic minibar stocked with fruit juices, spring water and soda took up the back wall. There was enough room to hold a party in there poolside, especially with the built-in stereo system. And the glass ceiling was retractable by remote controls, allowing in fresh air if she pleased.
Admission of Love Page 18