Engaged (Challenge series, #2)

by Kiru Taye

  Yet his actions had convinced her otherwise. The passion of their love-making had been thorough and single-minded, compulsive and earth-shattering. It was like six months worth of love-making exploded in one night. The heated frenzy of the first time had eventually turned into a slow tender soul-searing act.

  Every part of her body had come alive with his touch and his kiss. Her lungs had been saturated with his spicy scent, her pores saturated with his heat. When she’d looked into Paul’s eyes it had been filled with intensity, yearning and...love?

  Oh, how she wished it was so. He’d made her feel special, desired, and loved. When he said he’d never let her go, she hadn’t doubted him. Still, he hadn’t said the words I love you.

  Did that mean he wouldn’t want her to return to London? Her friends, her job, her life was in London. She’d give them up for Paul. However, she needed to know the extent of his feelings. That it was more than sex and desire driving his declaration. Or his competition with Vincent.

  She loved Paul. Not Vincent.

  She twisted the engagement ring from her finger and put it into her handbag. She’d have to return it to Vincent somehow after she’d spoken to him on the phone.

  She had to choose the right moment to call Vincent. After his outrageous outburst the last time, she had to brace herself for the impact of his anger. It wasn’t best to say what she had to say on the phone. Yet, it was better than waiting for his arrival in Nigeria in a few weeks.

  Letting out a sigh, she let her mind roam, daydreaming about Paul and what the future held for them together.

  Something still disturbed her mind about Paul—his relationship with Vincent and his mother. She hadn’t had time to ask Paul last night. She’d been too wrapped up in enjoying his attention to even think of anything else. Now it bothered her. And there was one person who could help her solve that mystery.

  “Amaechi,” she said, leaning forward to get the driver’s attention.

  He looked at her through the rear-view mirror and smiled. “Yes.”

  “I hope you don’t mind if I call you Amaechi. I know that’s how Paul addresses you and I didn’t want to refer to you as driver,” she said tentatively. The man was in his forties, so he was someone she should defer to as an older person.

  “It’s not a problem at all. You can call me Amaechi,” he replied genially.

  “Thank you and you can call me Ijay,” she replied before pausing hesitantly. “Paul said you were a distant relative on his mother’s side.”

  “Yes, his mother and my father were cousins. He’s more like my younger brother than my cousin,” he said pleasantly.

  “Okay. He said some years ago he stayed with your family,” she continued her gentle probing.

  “When he was a teenager he came to stay in my father’s house for a while. We became close then,” Amaechi volunteered.

  “Oh, why was that?” she asked directly.

  Amaechi reared back and shook his head. “I’m not sure I should discuss it with you. Maybe you should ask Paul.”

  “I know. I’ve tried but he’s so closed up sometimes,” her frustration seeped out in her voice. “I really care about him. I just need to understand everything about him.”

  “You like him?” he asked. His dark eyes sparked with amusement.

  “A lot.” She nodded and smiled shyly. “More than you know. I think we could have a future together. But things are so complicated especially with Vincent...”

  “You know Vincent?” Amaechi face lost the amusing smile instantly and turned into a dark frown. His expression wasn’t as bad as when she’d first mentioned Vincent to Paul. Still, she couldn’t miss the fact that Amaechi didn’t like Vincent either.

  Ijay nodded, not saying anything else.

  “Vincent and his mother are bad news,” Amaechi continued. “They made Paul’s life a misery as a child. I’m thankful that despite all they did to crush Paul, he’s doing very well for himself. You are better off staying away from those two.”

  “What did they do to Paul?” she probed. She needed to know exactly what had happened.

  Amaechi shook his head and turned away, looking out of the windscreen.

  “Please tell me,” she said, the desperation back in her voice. “Vincent’s mother said that Paul raped a girl years ago. Is it true?”

  “That’s a big lie. Paul never hurt that girl. I can swear it on my father’s grave,” Amaechi said angrily. “I’m sure Vincent did it and they framed Paul for it. Vincent was always a cruel boy, just like his mother. They connived to chase Paul out of his father’s house. And they succeeded. He’s not even welcome in his own father’s compound in the village. Can you imagine such nonsense?”

  “What? You can’t be serious.” Ijay couldn’t believe that. In African culture, men were always welcome in their fathers’ houses.

  “Deadly serious. After Chief Arinze died, it turned out that neither Paul nor any of his other siblings were named in the man’s will apart from Vincent and his mother.”

  “That can’t be right?”

  “It’s not and Paul has refused to contest the will. In fact, it’s better for him that he didn’t because look at him now. He’s doing so well for himself and with peace of mind too.”

  “If he was disinherited, then what about the villa property and land?”

  “The land Paul built on is partly from his mother’s people and partly from the community of Amori in recognition of all he has done for the community. Do you know how many children of Amori are on scholarship fund because of him or how many of the citizens he employs at the factory?”

  “So if you really care about Paul, whatever dealings you have with Vincent or his mother, you have to break it. They will only poison you. They are venomous snakes,” Amaechi concluded before concentrating back on his driving.

  “Thank you,” Ijay said in shock as she absorbed all of Amaechi’s revealing words.

  She’d known there was something odd about Mrs. Arinze when she’d found out what the woman had said about Paul. She’d been surprised by the woman stooping so low as to share something that had happened so many years ago with Ijay’s family. Ijay had even tried to dismiss the woman’s controlling demand that Ijay stopped working on the POD project.

  But Amaechi’s revelations had just put Vincent and his mother at the top of her creepy list. To think they’d been so mean as to cut Paul and Simon off from their inheritance.

  To think that she’d once thought she was in love with Vincent? She hadn’t known him at all. The face Vincent had shown her was the face of a lamb. Meanwhile he was a wolf, bound on destroying members of his own family.

  Why were they that mean? She could understand if Paul and Vincent had fallen out in the past over some girl. What about Simon? Why wouldn’t Vincent want to take care of his younger brother? Especially at a critical stage of Simon’s life, when he was trying to build a future for himself.

  The more she thought about it the angrier she got. How could she have been so deceived by Vincent? After what Vincent and Mrs. Arinze had done to Paul, they didn’t deserve an apology from her. Vincent was the one who needed to apologise to her for making her think he was something he wasn’t.

  Furiously she took the ring out of her bag intent on throwing it out of the car window. She was furious at Vincent and his mother for all they’d done to Paul. Why should she bother returning the ring to him? Vincent could go and look for it on the highway if he wanted it back.

  As she slid the window down, she realised she didn’t want to damage any property or hurt anyone by hauling an object out of a fast-moving car in the mid-morning Enugu traffic. So she balled her hand into a fist around the ring instead.

  When they got to Paul’s house, she stopped Amaechi before he came out to open the door for her.

  “Amaechi, you have to do me a favour. Wait for me. I’m going back to Amori with you,” she said.

  “I don’t think so. Paul instructions were to bring you back to Enugu. He didn’t
say anything about taking you with me on the return trip,” Amaechi replied.

  “I know. Hear me out. I want to go back. I don’t want to leave him on his own. There’s so much that needs to be done to get the order ready to be shipped next week. I can’t sit here in Enugu while he’s doing all the work down there.”

  Amaechi continued shaking his head. “I don’t know.”

  Ijay reached out and touched his arm with her hand. “Amaechi, I love Paul. Help me, please,” she pleaded. If that didn’t work nothing else would.

  Slowly a smile broke out on his face. “You love him,” Amaechi said.

  She nodded and smiled in return. “Yes, I do. With all my heart.”

  “Then I’ll wait.”

  “Thank you so much.” She wanted to hug him but restrained herself. “I’m going to pack a bag and tell Simon’s mum to pack a few other things in case we have to stay in Amori for a few more days.”

  “While I wait I’m going to get some diesel for the generator,” he said.

  “Good idea. See you later.”

  Ijay stepped out of the car feeling much better. She had a purpose and things to do instead of just waiting for Paul’s arrival in Enugu. Most of all, she’d be seeing him again soon.

  When she got into the house, she found Simon’s mother in the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” Ijay said to the woman.

  “Welcome,” the woman said without looking at Ijay. She seemed a bit distracted opening the cupboards to put away dishes. “Did you want some breakfast?”

  “No. I’m not hungry,” Ijay replied. “I just wondered if it was possible to pack some foodstuff so I can take it back to Amori.”

  Simon’s mother closed the cupboard and turned to look at Ijay for the first time since she entered the kitchen. “You’re going back to Amori again?”

  “Yes, I just want to pack a few things. Paul is still there and I have to be with him.”

  “Aren’t you better off staying here since Paul sent you back? He’d prefer not to be distracted while he’s working. I know him. He doesn’t like to be distracted.”

  Ijay paused, her face creasing in a frown. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Simon’s mother didn’t want her to be with Paul. But the woman had been so nice to her since Ijay’s arrival in Enugu. She didn’t want to entertain any unpleasant thoughts. Moreover Simon’s mother was a member of Paul’s family and Paul trusted her.

  “I know Paul will be busy. I also want to help. I really don’t want to stay in Enugu doing nothing,” Ijay replied boldly.

  “Well, suit yourself. It’s a good thing I went shopping yesterday, so I can pack some things for you. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

  “Thank you so much,” She smiled, relieved that the woman had agreed. She turned to leave and spotted the small kitchen dust bin. She opened it and threw her engagement ring into it. Feeling much better, she went to her room to pack her bag.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Paul sat in the back seat of the car as Amaechi drove him back to the villa. The exhaustion that had threatened to overwhelm him all day finally took a hold of his body. His back and shoulders ached from hours spent either lifting heavy machinery or hauling crates of packaged foods.

  Though weary he was satisfied with the progress they’d made at the factory. The damaged equipment was finally in a state where it could be used again. Though, he’d had to order new spare parts which would take weeks to arrive from the manufacturer. The engineer that Peter had sent him had helped to ensure that the production line was up and running again.

  They could make their order delivery on time if they worked through the weekend. Usually the staff were away during the weekend but he’d asked some to come back to complete the order. He’d have to stay too to make sure everything was done on time and ready to ship on Monday.

  His weekends were usually spent either in Abuja or Enugu. He’d hoped he’d get to spend some time with Ijay this weekend. That would have to wait. He caught a faint whiff of Ijay. His mind flashed back to this morning, her image as she sat next to him in the car kissing him, replaying itself.

  She’d been warm, soft and sweet. He’d been reluctant to leave her and had missed her presence as soon as he’d stepped out of the car. Now his heart ached at not seeing her again for a few more days.

  Having her at the villa had made it feel like home. Their night together confirmed to him what he’d been afraid to acknowledge before. She made him feel complete for the first time in his adult life.

  He wanted her by his side constantly especially at this early stage. Yet he knew she was better off in Enugu instead of in Amori. It would be safer especially since he had a sneaky suspicion that Vincent had a hand in the damage of his factory equipment.

  Things were far from perfect for them. He still had Vincent as a thorn on his side. Paul had to resolve the problem between them once and for all. For Ijay’s sake.

  She’d been correct. She shouldn’t be the source of competition between him and his brother.

  As the car neared the gates to this villa, he noted that the outside security lights were on. He assumed that the mains electricity supply was back on after yesterday. The supply was intermittent at best which was why he needed the generator to supply power.

  When the car drove in and stopped in the front driveway, he noted the light in the living room was on too. His body tensed and screwed in a worried frown.

  Had he forgotten to switch them off? It would be unlike him to do so but was possible.

  When he got out of the car, he noticed Amaechi was smiling sheepishly. His frown deepened.

  “What’s going on?” Paul asked.

  Amaechi shrugged. “I’m sorry but she told me not to tell you. She’s one woman who knows her own mind. I couldn’t persuade her to stay in Enugu.”

  “Ijay?” Even as he asked the question he already knew. His heart leapt before speeding into a pounding pulse of anticipation.

  Amaechi nodded confirming Paul’s thoughts. He took his briefcase from Amaechi.

  “Goodnight,” Paul said and didn’t look at Amaechi. His thoughts were already in the villa, with the woman he knew he’d find in there. His steps to the front door quickened. Suddenly he couldn’t wait to see Ijay again. Even though he should be angry she’d disobeyed his instructions, he only knew gladness that she was here. He hadn’t realised how much he didn’t want to spend another night without her until now.

  Before he could knock on the door, it swung inwards. Ijay stood there, her lips curved in a tentative smile, her body covered in a pink figure hugging t-shirt and denim wrap skirt that stopped above her knees. Her feet were bare, her blue toe nails catching his attention. Her hair tied back in its usual ponytail. She was the best thing he’d ever seen. Beautiful. Desirable.

  His previous weariness departed, replaced by pure pleasure at the sight of her. He stood at the doorway taking in the sight of her for a moment.

  “You came back,” he said, his lips broadening in a wide grin he couldn’t repress nor wanted to, his voice husky with joyous emotion.

  “I couldn’t keep away from you,” she replied breathlessly, her face lit up in a responding smile.

  Her words were sweet music to his ears. He took one long step to her and lifted her body into his in a bear hug. Her soft curves crushed against his body. He could feel her hardened nipples push against his chest. Sensation scoured through his body. His heart rate rocketed skywards. His trousers suddenly felt tighter. He groaned with pleasure. With his booted foot, he kicked the door shut and with his other hand he swept the objects on the table in the hallway to the floor and sat Ijay on its edge.

  It was just the right height. Her legs stayed wrapped around his hips. He looked into her chocolate eyes wide like saucers and filled with flaming desire and adoration. She looked at him with such devotion. He knew he had to tell her how he felt. Now. He had to push his need to be buried inside her warmth back for now. He stepped back, though she tightened he
r legs around his hips stopping him from moving further away.

  He lifted her hand from his shoulder to his lips. As he brushed his lips against the back of her hand something clicked in his mind.

  It’s gone! Her engagement ring is gone.

  The words resounded in his brain, his eyes unwilling to believe what they saw. Had she spoken to Vincent and returned the ring? Was there a possibility she loved him instead of his psycho half-brother. He looked up at her, his face creased in a frown, his brow raised in a query.

  “The ring?” he asked unable to keep silent.

  “I threw it away...I broke off the engagement.” She lowered her eyelashes in a coy move before lifting them and flashing him a confident smile, her white teeth gleaming.

  In that moment it was like the weight of the world left his shoulders and his heart leapt with joyous excitement. She’d taken it off not because he’d asked her but because she decided herself. A most wonderful gift. What he’d wanted all along. A lump clogged his throat.

  “I love you,” he said gruffly and swallowed the emotional lump in his throat. He blew kisses on her hand.

  Her breath hitched, her eyes widening before her face broke into the most glorious smile he’d ever seen. He’d made the right decision by telling her now instead of waiting till they were back in Enugu.

  “I love you too,” she replied, her eyes glittering with happy tears.

  He lowered his head and kissed her lips. Hungrily. Tenderly. His tongue started off swiping her lips gently, seeking to savour her taste. Yet as soon as it swept into her mouth, passion overtook him, uncontrollable sensation racing through his body. His emotions racing between pure joy in his heart and the rush of white heat in his groin.

  Ijay couldn’t explain the profound joy and pleasure she felt at that moment being in Paul’s arms, her legs wrapped around him wanting him even closer than he was.

  Paul loved her, just like she loved him. Nothing else matters. They would work through the rest of their problems together.