“I was there every time,” Raina said as she wiped the tears from Mya’s eyes. “And now any time you need me, I’m just a phone call away.”
The smile Raina wore mirrored the smile that was spread across Mya’s face.
“Maybe we should start introductions now,” Raina suggested. On cue, Ms. Bee walked over and quickly introduced herself before giving Raina a big hug.
“It’s great to meet you, Mrs. Bee,” Raina said returning her hug. “Let me introduce you both to my husband, kids and everyone else,” Raina said as she locked arms with Mya. “And you have to introduce me to that hunk standing at the car gawking at you,” Raina whispered. “Is that Malik?”
Mya glanced over her shoulder at Malik who was leaning on the car smiling at her with those sexy lips that often left her speechless. “Yup,” she said as she waved him over to join her. “The one and only.”
Chapter 20
Two months later...
“Malik, the wedding starts in five hours, so we need to get some rest.”
“I only need three hours to function tomorrow,” Malik said as he placed kisses along her spine. “The other two will just go to waste.”
“If this is your way of convincing me to turn over so we can have sex, this is a poor argument,” Mya said into her pillow.
The entire wedding party and wedding guests were staying in the host hotel for Lex and Micah’s fall wedding. At first, the women had all agreed to share a room so they could each get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow, but when the men got wind of their plans, that idea went out the window.
“You know I haven’t been feeling well,” Mya said. “And with the after-school program opening last week, I’ve gotten zero sleep.”
“I know,” Malik replied as his lips moved from her spine to her neck. “That’s why I’m trying to make you feel better.”
Malik really hadn’t liked how busy Mya had been lately, but between their trips to Detroit and Indiana to visit Mya’s new family, they were both exhausted.
After deciding that they needed to make some serious life decisions, Malik had agreed to make his main home Chicago and keep his office and properties in Detroit. He was glad he’d made the decision, and being in the same city as his brother, cousins, and Mya was well worth it.
“And how exactly is having sex going to make me feel better?”
“Sex makes everything better,” he said moving from her neck down to her thighs. He started to nudge her open with his knees.
“Okay, okay,” she said as she flipped over onto her back. “Clearly you’re not giving up.”
“Never,” he said with a sly smile as he made his way up her body. Malik couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d been happier than he was now.
He hovered over her and lightly traced the outline of her face. “Who would have thought we would have ended up here,” he said.
“I certainly could not have predicted this,” Mya said searching his eyes. “But I can’t tell you how happy I am that we got here.”
“Me too,” Malik said as he leaned down and placed his lips over hers. Malik didn’t think he could ever grow tired of tasting Mya and by the way she responded to him, he knew that fact remained true to her as well.
His hands roamed over her body, touching and stroking wherever he pleased. When Mya arched her back at the feel of his fingers between her legs, he slipped in between her folds twirling his fingers inside her core.
“Malik,” she gasped as he matched the movement of his fingers in her center to imitate the movement of his tongue in her mouth.
“I need you to come for me,” he said into her ear as he briefly left her mouth. When she began moaning in between their kisses and her muscles tightened over his fingers, he circled his thumb over her hard nub, working her all at once.
The triple action sent her right over the edge and Malik leaned up in the bed and watched the range of emotions cross her face.
“I’ll never get tired of seeing you come,” he said as he feathered her face with light kisses.
“I’ll never get tired of you making me come,” she said with a satisfied smile.
“In case I haven’t told you enough,” Malik said hovering over her again, “I am so in love with you, Ms. Winters.”
She gazed up at him with glassy eyes. “I’m so in love with you too, Malik,” she said, cupping his face.
“I admire everything about you,” Malik continued. “Your strength astounds me. Your drive and determination are extremely sexy. And your wittiness keeps me on my toes.” He ran his fingers up and down her arm before twirling circles in her hand with his finger. “On top of being beautiful and intelligent, what I love about you the most is that you’re a survivor and you didn’t look at me as damaged goods, but rather saw me for the man that I was and the father that I hope to be one day.”
He dropped the item he’d had in his hand into her open palm. Mya’s eyes widened as she gripped the object and brought it up to her face.
“Are you proposing?” she said in shock as the diamond glistened when the streak of moonlight hit it at the perfect angle.
“That’s exactly what I’m doing, Mya Winters, soon to be Mya Madden.”
She looked down at the rock in her hand and glanced back up at him.
“I had no idea,” she said as her eyes began filling with tears.
“I hope that’s a yes,” he said with loving eyes.
She gave him a sly smirk before slipping the ring on her finger and bringing his face to hers for a kiss. “Of course it’s a yes,” Mya said as she continued to adorn him with kisses. “I really didn’t expect you to propose the day before Lex and Micah’s wedding.”
“I had to,” Malik said with a laugh. “There was no way I was letting you attend this wedding without letting every man in the room know that you are mine.”
“I’m pretty sure you already made that known at the rehearsal dinner last night,” Mya said with a laugh. Malik thought about the way he’d worked Mya’s name into his best-man speech.
“I had to let them know,” he said with a laugh.
“I think they got the message loud and clear,” she replied. She suddenly began searching his eyes.
“What is it?” he asked with concern.
She bit her bottom lip and glanced away from him. “I wasn’t going to tell you this tonight,” she said as she met his eyes again.
“What is it?” he asked again when she didn’t elaborate.
“Well,” she said with a slight smile. “Just so you know, I stick by what I said and I still want to offer a home for a child who could benefit from our love.”
Malik studied her eyes in confusion. “I don’t get it,” he said.
Mya took his hand and gently placed it over her stomach. Malik’s eyes grew big with amazement. “It can’t be,” Malik said as he looked down at her stomach as if looking at it would give him the answer he was searching for.
“I took a pregnancy test last week,” Mya said. “Just to be sure, I took four different tests from three different brands. I have my second doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. I had planned on telling you after the wedding tomorrow.”
“How far along are you?” he asked. They’d had a few mishaps with protection and Mya had told him she wasn’t on birth control, but never in a million years did he think he would receive this news.
“I’m five weeks,” she said as she placed her hand over his. “But our baby is definitely in there.”
“But the doctor said the chances were slim.”
“That may be the case, but it happened and I couldn’t wait any longer to tell you.”
Malik dropped his face to her chest as he traced slow circles on her belly. In that moment, words couldn’t describe the range of emotions transpiring through his
body. He agreed with Mya, he still wanted to adopt. But he also acknowledged that her getting pregnant was truly a blessing. One that he hadn’t ever expected.
“I just can’t believe it,” Malik said as his voice caught in his throat.
“I know, baby,” Mya said as she placed a kiss on his forehead. “Believe me, I know.”
* * *
Standing at the edge of the dance floor, Mya looked around the room at all the guests enjoying the second Elite Events wedding of the year. As usual, her eyes caught Malik’s who rewarded her with a wink and that sexy side smile he’d been sporting all morning. He was wearing his classic black glasses again...the ones that she loved so much. She’d thought about telling him just how much when she saw him putting them on in the morning, but decided to wait. It felt good having at least one secret that he hadn’t picked up on yet.
Her eyes searched the dance floor for her friends and partners, as she thought about how much things had changed for them in the past few years. Earlier in the year, she’d watched her friends with envy as she’d questioned if she would ever experience true happiness like the kind that had been reflected in their eyes. Now, thinking back to the past six months, she couldn’t believe how much her life had changed for the better.
“Looking for us?” Imani said sneaking up from behind her in a coral bridesmaid’s dress that matched the one Mya wore.
“Actually, I was,” Mya said with a smile. Last night, Malik and Mya had decided to wait until after Lex and Micah’s wedding to announce that they were expecting. But for some reason, she didn’t think she could hold the news until then.
“Are you okay?” Lex asked as she rubbed her shoulder. Lex looked stunning in her floor-length all-lace wedding gown and Micah hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her all night.
“You’re not having second thoughts about marrying Malik, are you?” Cyd asked.
“I’m fine,” Mya said as she gently swiped a tear. “And I’m definitely not having second thoughts about Malik. He’s everything I never thought I’d find.”
“I never thought I’d hear the day when Mya Winters would say those words about a man,” Imani said with a smirk. “I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”
“We all are,” Lex added.
“Thanks, ladies,” she said as she stole a glance at Malik who was standing with her friends’ significant others.
“If it isn’t the engagement, what has you so emotional?” Cyd asked with concern.
Mya glanced at each of the women, unsure if she should keep her secret or not.
“You might as well just spit it out,” Imani said as she crossed her arms over her chest followed by similar sentiments from Cyd and Lex.
Mya glanced over at Malik and silently pleaded with him to let her tell her friends. After he shook his head at her and laughed, he finally mouthed okay.
“What’s with the eye talk?” Cyd asked when she looked back to the group.
“Malik and I were going to wait to tell you all until after Lex and Micah’s wedding, but...we’re having a baby,” Mya blurted out suddenly, too excited to hold it in any longer.
All three women rushed to her at once and bombarded her with a much-needed hug. They never forced Mya to talk about her past, but they’d always known they were the family she never had. Even though she’d found her sister, nothing could ever replace the women who were embracing her now.
“No wonder you’re so emotional,” Imani said with a smile.
“Oh, Mya, that’s amazing news,” Lex exclaimed.
“You’re going to make a great mom,” Cyd added.
While Mya was explaining the details of the proposal and how Malik found out she was pregnant, the men approached, obviously unable to stay away from their wives and future wife any longer.
“I think telling them was the right thing to do,” Malik said as he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“You told the guys?” she asked with a laugh.
“I know I only just found out last night, but I’m excited about our future son,” he said with a sly grin.
“You mean, our future daughter,” she replied with a knowing look.
Malik nuzzled her neck before bringing his lips to her ear. “How about we don’t have this debate until the doctor can reveal the sex of our baby,” he suggested.
“That works,” Mya said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “We’ll wait until the doctor officially tells us it’s a girl.”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460381137
Beautiful Surrender
Copyright © 2015 by Sherelle Green
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