Back to Your Love

by Kianna Alexander

  His mother, still dabbing her eyes, jumped to her feet, clapping furiously. The rest of the people in the room joined in, until he was taking in the sights and sounds of a full-scale standing ovation.

  He didn’t consider himself a sensitive person, but at that moment, as sheer happiness and bottomless emptiness collided inside him, he found himself holding back a tear.

  His eyes swung to the double doors he’d entered, and his heart jumped in his chest like a caged rabbit.

  Standing there, in the most beautiful gown he’d ever seen, was Imani. She’d styled her hair up, revealing the delectable feminine curve of her neck and shoulders above the silver, strapless gown’s fitted bodice. Long feathery earrings dangled from the lobes of her ears, sparkling in the light as they grazed her collarbone. The swell of her breasts was on tempting display for his hungry eyes. From head to toe, she was glowing and shimmering, just as he was inside now that she was here.

  Her eyes locked with his, and he could hear his heart thumping loudly in his ears.

  He left the podium and moved toward her as fast as his feet would carry him.

  She moved toward him as well, and when they met, he swept her into his arms and crushed her lips with his.

  The room erupted into hoots and applause, but he ignored it as he held the woman he loved close to his heart and kissed her with all the adoration he felt inside.

  When she finally pulled away, looking breathless and flushed, her glossy lips curved into a smile. “Hi, yourself.”

  His voice conveying the wonderment coursing through him, he caressed her face, tracing his fingers along her jawline. “How? Why?”

  “Let’s just say your fraternity brothers can be very convincing.” She gestured to their table they were all looking on from. “They camped outside my house until I agreed to come here.”

  “What?” He glanced at his buddies, who were giving him goofy grins and thumbs-up. He couldn’t remember when he’d thought them more awesome than he did right then.

  “Yeah. Max stayed for six hours.” Imani clasped his hand, lacing her delicate fingers with his. “How could I say no? A man with friends like that obviously has good judgment.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the tender skin of her palm. “I’ll be sure to thank them later.”

  She gestured to the podium. “Don’t you think you should get back up there? Your constituents want to hear from you. Don’t worry. I’m staying.”

  He couldn’t hold back his grin. “I’m going. But you should know, I can’t wait to get you out of here and out of that dress so we can make up properly.”

  She nodded. “Go on, Xavier.”

  Releasing her hand, he returned to the podium and, after a brief apology, continued his speech.

  After he spoke, he spent the next two hours greeting guests, shaking hands, and accepting congratulations. Imani remained by his side the entire time, and he couldn’t help but be impressed with her. The way she carried herself made him realize that she’d already fallen comfortably into the role of political wife. Her charm and intelligence won over everyone they spoke to, and by the time the last party guest filtered out, he couldn’t deny the incredible asset Imani would be, both to his life and his political career.

  By ten o’clock, no one remained in the ballroom besides Xavier, Imani, and his fraternity brothers.

  Xavier stopped by their table with Imani on his arm. “I gotta thank you guys again. You put on a hell of a party, and I owe you big time.”

  “I’ll be sure to convey that to my secretary.” Max offered a smile and a wink.

  The men stood to exchange fist bumps and brief hugs with Xavier and to kiss Imani’s hand.

  Bryan looked at Xavier and asked, “What the hell are you still doing here with us? Go handle your business, man!”

  Xavier turned to Imani. “Sorry I’ve kept you out so late. I’ll take you home.”

  “Good night, boys.” After speaking her parting words to his friends, she grabbed Xavier’s hand and tugged him toward the door.

  Outside in the hotel corridor, he whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to get you home, baby.”

  She winked, producing a hotel key card from her small clutch. “I’m not going home tonight.”

  A sound conveying surprise and pleasure escaped his throat. Holding tight to her hand, he smiled. “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 19

  Her hands trembling, Imani inserted the key card into the lock, and Xavier swung the door open. She felt as antsy and giddy as she had when she’d given him her virginity all those years ago. The main difference was that now she knew just how skilled a lover Xavier was. Thinking of what was to come had her moist and flowing in her most secret place.

  A few of the lamps had been left on, allowing them to see as they entered the room. The space was beautiful, but she had little time to take in the scenery as he caught her up in his embrace again, pressing his body close to hers. With only the fabric of their clothes between them, she could feel the hard promise of his excitement flush against her stomach.

  Between feverish kisses, she did her best to talk, to explain. “I’m sorry…” His lips smothered her next words.

  His tongue searched the depths of her mouth, and she welcomed him. Soft moans escaped her as his hands cupped her behind through the fabric of her gown. She was melting, drowning in desire.

  He freed her lips for a moment and lifted her into his arms. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he carried her toward the large bed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have overreacted the way I did.” He laid her gently on the soft surface of the bed.

  As his fingers opened the fastener of his trousers, she trembled in anticipation. She knew he was about to give her everything she’d longed for in the time they’d been apart, and she could barely keep her composure.

  She waited there, her chest heaving with each breath she struggled to take as he took off his jacket. Before he continued to disrobe, he paused to remove something from a pocket inside the dark sport coat. It sparkled in the circle of light cast by the bedside lamp, and he held it out to her.

  “I saved this for you.”

  For a moment, she was confused, but she sat up to take the object from his hand. It was a chain fashioned of white gold. On the chain dangled a familiar object. “The promise ring you gave me? I tossed this into the creek the day I left for college.” Her voice was filled with all the awe she felt at seeing the ring again.

  He only smiled. “I knew we were meant to be, Imani. So after you left that day, I fished it out of the creek. It took me hours to find it, but it was time well spent.” He sat down on the bed next to her, and his dark eyes locked with hers. “I’ve had it all this time. I’ve just been waiting for you.”

  Her free hand flew to her mouth as the fat tears began to run down her cheeks.

  “Ten years. So much has changed since then.” She’d been through a lot in the past ten years, enough to see what a loss she’d suffered the day he left her.

  “Not everything. I still love you, baby.” He reached out, caressed her cheek, and she covered his hand with her own.

  Before she could form another word, he pulled her to his kiss. The waves of passion rose anew, threatening to consume them both. She snatched his shirt open, popping off some of the buttons in the process, but he didn’t seem to mind or even notice. He busied himself with reaching around her to unzip the back of her gown.

  They continued that way, alternately kissing and undressing each other, until they were both bare. He laid a gentle touch on the sensitive flesh between her breasts as he guided her down onto the bed.

  The kissing continued, their lips crushing together in a frenzy of heated desire. She pulled him atop her, fervently running her hands up and down the long, muscular lines of his body. God, how she’d craved this man. His fingertips seemed to singe h
er skin in every place he gifted her with his touch.

  Just when she thought she’d die from wanting him, he nudged her thighs apart and entered her in one slow, delicious stroke. The feel of him buried deep inside her was wholly sensual, almost magical. Her body rejoiced at their joining.

  She looked at him and saw that his eyes were shut tightly as he moved above her, each stroke pushing her nearer and nearer to paradise. Everything within her was enraptured in the sensations he gave her. She wound her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer, deeper. He responded by increasing his pace. His eyes fluttered open for a moment, and he cupped her breasts in his big hands. Sparks of electricity emitted from the pads of his thumbs as he circled them over her tight, pebbled nipples.

  The pleasure glowing in her womb grew, expanding until it radiated out to the very tips of her fingers and toes. She could hear her own throaty cries echoing in her ears, as well as his short, deep growls as he moved in and out of her. Then it all became too much, and an orgasm swept over her, so good her toes curled and her body shook with total abandon. Above her, he continued to grind his powerful hips until he found his own release and fell on top of her, his breaths short and raspy.

  As she lay beneath him, their sweat-dampened torsos pressed against each other, and she kept her arms around him. She’d pushed him away so many times, but this time she knew better. She vowed then and there to never let him go again. Enjoying the feel of his body so close to her own, she closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. The aftermath of her orgasm still warmed her insides, and she wanted to enjoy it as much as she could before sleep claimed her.

  He had other plans, though, because before she could sink into dreamland, she felt something. He was still inside her, and he was hardening again. She could feel his manhood growing by the second, stretching her inner walls with an insistent, delicious pressure.

  She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, he slipped out of her. “Turn over, Imani.”

  While she did as he asked, he positioned her to his liking, with her knees bent and hips angled upward. She arched her back as he plunged inside her once again.

  As he drove her toward ecstasy again, she had one last cogent thought—this man, and no one else, was her soul mate. And as he loved her so thoroughly, he stole her breath, and she knew it was a fact that would never change.

  * * *

  Xavier stood near the window, looking out at the scene below him. From his vantage point in one of the guest rooms of the newly built home he and Imani now shared, he could see the people gathering in the backyard for the day’s celebration. After all they’d been through, together and separately, he’d been afraid this day would never come. Now that it had, he found himself very impatient to make Imani his wife. He supposed part of that stemmed from the wedding gift he would give her today. He and his fraternity brothers had put a lot of planning and hard work into it, and he couldn’t wait to see her reaction.

  Straightening his orange silk tie, he turned from the window and checked his reflection in the glass. The gray suit fit him perfectly, and the snow-white shirt and sunset-colored tie accented it well. He had everything he was supposed to have, except for the boutonniere. He tried to remember who had it the last time he’d seen it.

  He swung open the door and nearly bowled over his mother. Carol dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, just like she’d been doing all day. Despite her red-rimmed eyes, she looked beautiful in the cream-colored suit and matching pillbox hat she’d chosen for the occasion.

  Extending the orange rosebud and a straight pin, she sniffled. “I brought your boutonniere, baby boy. Let me pin it for you.”

  He stood still as she went about the task. “Mama, stop crying. It’s a happy day.”

  “I know, baby. These are happy tears.” On the tail of her words, she let out another sob. “I’m going on outside.” Still wiping her eyes, she walked down the hall and descended the staircase.

  He stood in the doorframe, watching her go, then stepped back inside the room. Ma Alma had given him strict instructions not to come downstairs until one of his boys came to get him, and he wasn’t about to upset his future mother-in-law by disobeying a direct order. So he dropped down into the wing chair just inside the door and waited.

  Edwin entered the room, a broad smile on his face. “You clean up nice, Son.”

  “So do you, Dad.” Xavier smiled as he hugged his father. “Everything’s going according to plan out there, right?”

  He nodded. “Fine, fine. I’m just here to chat with you for a minute.”

  “Ah. Do you have some words of wisdom for me, Dad?”

  “Of course I do. I’ve been with your mother forty years, and I’m going to tell you the most important thing I’ve learned about marriage.”

  Xavier leaned in, bracing for a lengthy speech. “I’d love to hear it.”

  “She comes first. As long as you remember that and never put anything before her, you’ll be all right.”

  He turned his father’s words over in his mind. It was much simpler advice than he’d expected from his father; Edwin Whitted could be quite wordy when he chose to be. She comes first. Xavier didn’t anticipate having any trouble with that. “That’s it?”

  “Yes, that’s it. Don’t let your friends or your work or anything come before her. Even when you have kids, your priority is your wife. Understand?”

  “I got it, Dad.” In all honesty, he looked forward to putting his soon-to-be wife on a pedestal, where she belonged.

  Edwin patted him on the shoulder. “Good. Then I’ll see you out there.”

  Xavier watched his father stroll toward the door. “Dad?”

  Edwin stopped and turned his way. “What is it, Son?”

  “Thanks. For everything. I love you.”

  A smile stretched across Edwin’s aged, brown face. “I love you, too.” Humming, he departed.

  Xavier returned to his seat to await his release. Judging from the position of the sun outside the window, he knew it wouldn’t be too much longer. Imani wanted a sunset wedding, and that meant timing was everything.

  Before long, Maxwell appeared. As he came up the steps, he checked the gold watch on his wrist. “It’s almost showtime, brother. Are you nervous?”

  “Not at all.” He stood as Max entered the room, shaking his hand. “I’ve known for years I wanted Imani to be my wife, and now it’s finally going to happen.”

  “That’s what’s up.” Max stroked his hand over his jaw, as if thinking. “I don’t know if settling down is in the cards for me, but I wish you luck, my man. With a sister like Imani by your side, I’m sure you’ll do well.” He slapped him on the back. “Come on. Ma Alma gave me permission to take you out back.”

  Xavier caught his friend in a tight hug. “I never really thanked you for what you did, convincing her to come to the party and all. Thank you, man.”

  Max chuckled. “It’s cool, X. I’m just glad I could help.” Max strode from the room, and Xavier followed him. They went down the stairs, through the formal dining room and kitchen, and out the glass doors, onto the stone patio. The doors had been propped open, and when he stepped out into the cool air, he was thankful for the beautiful weather. It was the end of February, an unpredictable time for North Carolina weather, but the chance they’d taken by scheduling an outdoor wedding on this date seemed to be paying off. The sky was blue; fat, puffy clouds were floating overhead; and it wasn’t too cold. If it did rain, the large white tent that had been set up in the yard would provide shelter for the assemblage. A quick glance at the weather app on his phone showed the temperature right at sixty degrees. He hoped it would hold.

  They entered the tent through the open flaps and walked slowly down the center aisle. It was lined with cream-colored rose petals, with the twenty or so round tables filled with guests sitting on either side. Many of those present offered greet
ings, smiles, and kind words as he passed by them. White lights twinkled above his head, and towering floral arrangements filled every available corner. The pianist played the familiar tune “In a Sentimental Mood.” As he made his way toward the front, where their childhood pastor stood under a rose-draped arch, his heart thumped in his chest. It was obvious someone had worked very hard to make everything look so nice, and he made a mental note to thank the setup crew. Still, his main focus was on his bride. He couldn’t wait to see her. His anticipation grew stronger by the second.

  The flaps of the tent behind the altar were tied back with lengths of cream-colored satin ribbon. The pale glow of the setting sun flowed through the opening, and Xavier took a moment to view it as his fraternity brothers moved into place beside him. Xavier shifted his eyes toward Tyrone, his best man, who opened the jacket of his suit and patted the inner pocket, his way of indicating that he had Imani’s ring. Satisfied, Xavier redirected his attention to the aisle.

  The pianist began to play Luther Vandross’s romantic classic “Here and Now.” Xavier linked his hands in front of him, watching as Maya and the other bridesmaids walked down the aisle and took their places. Two of Imani’s young cousins, acting as ring bearer and flower girl, came next. The little girl sprinkled a thick carpet of orange- and cream-colored rose petals on her way.

  When he saw Imani enter the tent on the arms of her uncle Clive, the sight of her took his breath away. Her dress was a form-fitting lace number, with a high neckline that grazed her chin, and long sleeves. The dress ended just above her knees, giving him an unencumbered view of her long bronze legs, capped in sky-high cream-colored pumps. A small satin bow at her waist flared into a full train, dragging on the rose petals as she walked. She’d foregone a veil. Her hair lay sleek and straight around her shoulders, crowned with a band of rosebuds and baby’s breath. Her eyes were damp, and the serene smile on her face made her glow with love and light. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life.