Healed (Damaged Souls Book 3)

by Twyla Turner

  Now, if only Sloan would show up, she’d be in business. Lexi looked at her phone that she’d been holding while she and Dom finalized everything and saw that she didn’t have any missed calls or texts. He had promised her that he’d be there. She just hoped he wasn’t reneging, or that he’d had a change of heart. She sighed heavily and went to make sure that Dom wasn’t in the back beheading the helpless catering staff. Where the hell is he?

  ~~~

  Sloan had recruited the help of a few people, to assist him with his plans for the night. He had asked Dom to hire someone, to get the later portion of the evening, set and ready to go. And to keep his whereabouts secret. He had asked Kevin to come pick him up at the boat docks, down by the river-walk, and to drop him off at his apartment to get ready for the evening.

  Now he threw his truck in park, after pulling into the packed parking lot, behind the historic brick art gallery. He quickly got out of the truck and smoothed down his suit jacket. He strode briskly to the front of the building, knowing that he was running a little late for Lexi’s big moment. He didn’t want to miss a minute of it.

  He reached the door and opened it, and stepped into the crowded gallery. He had to admit that Dom had really come through for Lexi. The place was filled with the elite, with holes burning in their pockets, itching to buy something. The lighting inside was perfect. The overhead lights throughout the gallery had a soft romantic glow. In front of each painting, the lights were a bit brighter, hitting them just right to illuminate their individual beauty.

  Sloan scanned the area, in search of Lexi. His eyes landed on Aaron, and the handsome black man caught his eye, too. Aaron lifted his champagne flute and nodded his head towards Sloan, in friendly acknowledgment. Burying his animosity, because he knew that Lexi had chosen him, Sloan nodded back with a slight smile. And turning back to his perusal of the crowd to find her, the sea of well-dressed people parted ever so slightly, and standing there in all white, was the love of his life.

  After the loss of his mother, seeing Lexi again for the first time, was like a balm to his mourning soul. And looking at her, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever seen her more radiant. She looked confident and comfortable in her own skin. She was dressed in her favorite bohemian style. The white jumper accentuated her smaller waist and emphasized her luscious breasts and the wide breadth of her sumptuous hips and backside.

  Sloan started forward as if being pulled to her, but Dom raising her champagne flute and tapping her ring against it, to grab everyone’s attention, stopped him in his tracks. He watched as the crowd turned towards Dom and the petite artist next to her.

  “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for coming out, and supporting this amazing artist. And before you all dig into this beautiful collection, Miss Alexis Bolden has a few words that she would like to say first.” Dom announced, turning and giving Lexi the floor.

  Sloan watched as Lexi smiled shyly, and then took a deep calming breath.

  “Thank you all so much for being here, and supporting my work. I’m overwhelmed by such a lovely turnout. And I just wanted to take a moment, to give you a little insight into my collection.” Lexi paused and took another deep breath. “I am a survivor of domestic abuse. It’s not easy for me to admit, but during the time in which I painted this collection, I began the journey to healing and finding my inner strength.” Lexi turned her head, looking at the crowd, and her eyes landed on Sloan, and a gorgeous smile spread across her face. “But I was lucky enough to find love, with someone who was patient with me. Someone to heal with along the way. Not everyone is that lucky. So I want you all to know that I have decided to donate half of the total sales of my collection, to shelters that cater to women who are trying to escape the vicious cycle of abuse. If I can help them find their strength, even a little, I would be proud. So anyway, enjoy the collection. And thanks again, for being here.” Lexi finished and flushed prettily, as the crowd started clapping.

  The throng of people dispersed, and moved towards the pieces of artwork hanging on the brick walls. Lexi thanked the few people, who stopped to speak to her, and Sloan watched her intently. When she was finally alone, she turned to look at him. They both stood for a moment and took in the other. Lexi looked Sloan up and down; handsome in his jeans, black dress shirt, and gray jacket.

  Sloan slowly started towards her once more. Lexi subconsciously licked and bit her bottom lip, as she watched him stalk her. Once he reached her, she looked up at his beautiful scarred face, his silvery blue eyes piercing her soul.

  “Hi.” She whispered, breathlessly.

  Sloan greeted her, with his own version of ‘Hello’. He clasped her face and crushed her mouth with his. He passionately stroked his greedy tongue into her warm mouth, and she trembled in his arms. Sloan pulled away, knowing that he was probably causing a scene and rested his forehead against hers, both catching their breath.

  “I thought you forgot about me.” Lexi panted out.

  “Never.” Sloan breathed.

  Lexi closed her eyes and sighed with relief.

  “How is everything back home? How are your parents?” Lexi asked, thoughtfully.

  “We’ll talk about it later. Tonight is your night.” Sloan changed the subject, not wanting anything to put a damper on her big evening.

  “Alright.” Lexi pulled back and smiled up at him. She reached up to wipe away her golden lip-gloss that had stained his lips, during the heated kiss.

  “Will you show me?” Sloan asked, nodding towards a painting.

  Lexi clutched his warm, work-roughened hand and pulled him towards the first painting in the collection. They slowly made their way around the exhibit, hand in hand. Lexi explained what she was going through, during the moment that she had painted each piece. A small crowd gathered inconspicuously around them, listening enthralled to what she had to say about her difficult journey. Sloan gazed down at her with pride, devotion, and pure love shining in his eyes.

  Lexi squirmed a bit, at the section of paintings that were of the man standing next to her. The pieces were sexy and seductive. And Sloan blushed to the roots of his hair, as the women in the crowd, oohed and aahed, and argued over which one of them would be buying the paintings.

  “So uh…you didn’t tell me that I was going to be a part of your exhibit.” Sloan smiled reluctantly, rubbing the back of his neck in mild discomfort.

  “Yeah…sorry. At first I wasn’t going to add any of the pieces, I had done of you. But you were such a huge part of my healing. So it only seemed right to include them, in the end. I hope you don’t mind.” Lexi looked up at him, bashfully.

  “It’s alright. It just came as a bit of a shock. But I also feel incredibly touched that I have made a positive impact on your life.” Sloan smiled at her, shyly.

  “You have,” Lexi stated, confidently.

  They finished the tour of her collection and then mingled with the other guests. Lexi made a few more clients for personal paintings, and Sloan met some interested parties that wanted to be a part of his new show. And by the end of the evening, Lexi had sold every single painting in the collection, making around seventy thousand dollars. Overwhelmed and with tears in her eyes, she thanked her guests, ending the night on a high note.

  “I can’t believe that I have thirty-five thousand dollars to take to the women’s shelter here in Savannah!” Lexi said in amazement, still baffled by the night. “I just wish I had enough to donate to all the shelters across the country.” Lexi thought, out loud.

  “As determined as you are, someday you will.” Sloan grinned at her while he walked her to his truck, ready to head home for some much-needed alone time with her.

  “Ya think so?” Lexi beamed up at him.

  “I know so.” Sloan winked at her.

  “This has been one of the best nights of my life,” Lexi exclaimed.

  In a rare, unencumbered moment, Lexi spread out her arms at her sides and spun around a few times, like a little girl. She stopped and wrapped her arms aro
und herself as if she was trying to hold herself together, or else she would explode. And Sloan as watched her, he absentmindedly rubbed at his chest, where his heart thudded thickly with so much love, he didn’t even know what to do with it all.

  “The night isn’t over yet,” Sloan informed her, quickly pulling her to the truck in his excitement.

  Sloan drove the truck to the riverfront district, and Lexi looked at him with curiosity, but he refused to give anything away. He parked the truck in a public parking garage and then walked her down to the boat docks, along the Savannah River. He stopped in front of a beautiful yacht, and Lexi’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

  “Wow! Whose is this?” Lexi said, in awe.

  “It’s my father’s. I borrowed it, for the day. That’s how I got back since I didn’t have a car.” Sloan smiled, slyly. “Come on.”

  Sloan helped Lexi onto the boat, started the engine, and pulled the boat from the docks and pointed it downriver. Lexi watched quietly as the downtown area disappeared, and she rested the side of her face against Sloan’s chest, as he steered.

  Soon he pulled up to what she realized was the back of her house. The inner limbs of her weeping willow were lit up with the candles he had placed in mason jars, months before. Sloan got as close to the bank as he could so that they could step off into the grass of her back yard. Then he dropped the anchor and jumped over the side, onto the ground and wrapped the rope to the boat around the trunk of the tree, just to be sure it didn’t go anywhere.

  Lexi looked over the edge of the boat, doubtfully. “That looks like a long way down.” She said, nervously.

  “Good thing, I’m here to catch you.” Sloan grinned up at her.

  Lexi stepped to the edge, Sloan grabbed her around her waist, and gently guided her to the ground. He led her through the hanging vines of the tree, and Lexi saw that the gazebo was also lit up, with white Christmas lights and candles on the outdoor table. The light gave off a romantic glow, as Sloan walked her up the path to the sheltered seating area. He sat her down at the table, where two covered dishes awaited them.

  “Are you hungry? Have you eaten anything tonight?” Sloan asked, before lifting the metal cover, with a flourish.

  “No, I haven’t. And I’m ravenous.” Lexi said, clutching her stomach.

  “I know the feeling,” Sloan said, staring her lips.

  “I was too nervous to eat, before the show,” Lexi admitted, looking away shyly from the hungry look in his eyes.

  “Perfect.”

  “Where did this all come from?” Lexi asked, in awe of the elaborate setup.

  “I hired the catering company that Dom used tonight. So some of their people came here to set this up. I texted them when we were on our way.” Sloan explained.

  “So Dom knew about this?” Lexi asked.

  “Yep. I told her to keep it a secret.” Sloan smiled, proudly.

  “And there I was, blabbing her ear off about if you would show up or not. You suck!” Lexi playfully slapped at his arm.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry.” Sloan apologized.

  “It’s okay, I’m just glad you’re here now.” Lexi smiled at him, watching as he took his seat across from her. “You know, it feels like we were never apart for those two months. And yet, I can still remember the ache from the separation.” Lexi said, shaking her head as she began to eat the delicious meal of stuffed ravioli that had been prepared for them.

  “Yeah, I feel it too. That’s why I don’t plan on a separation like that, happening ever again.” Sloan declared, before whistling loudly.

  Lexi heard the jingle of Tank’s tags on his collar, as he came out the doggy door that Sloan had installed before their breakup. The big dog trotted over to them and stopped next to Lexi’s chair. The dog bowed his head, and Lexi saw a little box attached to his collar. She looked up at Sloan curiously, and he smiled brightly at her.

  “Go ahead. Open it.” He said, quietly.

  Lexi’s fingers trembled, as she reached for the box. She pulled the bow, undoing the ribbon, and pulled it from Tank’s collar. And with butterflies fluttering in her stomach, Lexi opened the box. Nestled inside was a lovely, white gold ring with little diamonds set in it. She looked up at Sloan in surprise, and with bright shining eyes, he got up from his chair and came to kneel down next to her.

  “Oh my God,” Lexi whispered, under her breath at the realization of what was happening.

  “Alexis Marie Bolden, you pulled me from the darkness. You helped chase away my demons. And I still have a lot of work to do…in here.” Sloan said sincerely, clasping her hand and pressing it against his chest. “But I can’t imagine not having you by my side, healing together and flourishing in the light together, afterwards. I want to be with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. And there will most definitely, be ugly, and I apologize in advance for that.” Sloan smiled at Lexi, her green eyes filled with tears. “Basically I’m asking, will you marry me? Crazy and all?”

  “Yes!” Lexi blurted out and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, squeezing him to her. “If you can handle my crazy, I can handle yours,” Lexi spoke softly, against his ear.

  “I love you to distraction,” Sloan said and kissed her temple as he pulled back. “This was my mother’s ring. She gave it to me before she passed.” Sloan said, sliding the ring onto Lexi’s finger, a perfect fit.

  “What?! Sloan! Why did you wait to tell me now? I could’ve been there for you!” Lexi scolded him.

  “Shh…” Sloan hushed her gently. “It was something that I needed to do on my own. And believe me, I wanted you there, but this was a big night for you, and I didn’t want my sadness to spill over onto you. Besides, everything worked out. She ended up being the bridge between my father and I reconciling. We’re working on getting to know each other, and forgiving each other.” Sloan leaned in and kissed her nose lightly. “But she wanted you to have this, to give us luck in our marriage.”

  Lexi looked down at the ring on her finger, and a single tear dripped down onto her hand. “I love it. It’s perfect for me. Just my style.” Lexi said, her voice wobbly.

  “I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure if you wanted a traditional engagement ring.” Sloan sighed, with relief.

  “Nope. It’s not my thing, and I’d always feel as if I should take it off when I’m painting. With this one, I won’t ever have to take off.” Lexi said sincerely, as she clutched her left hand to her chest, protectively.

  Lexi stood up, and walked to one side of the gazebo and let down the bamboo sunshade. She then moved to the other sides, dropping them as well, enveloping them in relative privacy. She turned to face Sloan and unbuckled her gold belt, letting it slide through her fingers to the floor. She reached up, and unbutton the front of her jumpsuit, and let the material slide down her arms and body, to the floor with the belt. Her eyes stayed on Sloan, as she removed her bra and little shorts. His chest rose and fell rapidly, as he watched her. The only items she left on was her little white camisole and gold strappy heels.

  Lexi walked towards him, and pushed him down onto the patio loveseat, and made quick work of removing his jeans and boxer briefs. Before he could protest, Lexi’s mouth was on him.

  “Ah, Lexi!” Sloan gasped. “What about dinner?”

  “Mmm…dinner can wait,” Lexi said, releasing his hard erection with a pop.

  Sloan growled deep in his throat and pulled her up and onto his lap, and in his urgency, he impaled her with his throbbing manhood. Lexi threw back her head and cried out. The feeling of him filling her up was overwhelming and breathtaking. Sloan pulled at the thin strap of her camisole, eventually freeing a large dark tipped breast. His mouth immediately wrapped around it, his tongue flicking the hardened peak, and Lexi’s hips reflexively pumped into him.

  Sloan clasped the cheeks of her full round backside and helped to guide her, as she rolled her wet passage over him. Her back bowed, and he released her breast to move to the other, ready to show
it attention as well. Lexi plunged her fingers into his thick, silky hair and held him to her. Unable to take much more, Sloan gripped her hips tightly and began to thrust up, fast and hard, at the same time as he slammed her down over him, again and again. Lexi held onto his shoulders for dear life, as she bounced over him.

  “Sloan!” She gasped out, past a ragged breath.

  Hearing her call out to him, he miraculously doubled his efforts, sweat poured down his face and dampened his shirt. And suddenly, Lexi’s hips shuddered. Her muscles tightened all around him, squeezing his manhood tightly, and her nails raked across his shoulders. Sloan covered her mouth with his at the perfect moment, and she screamed into his mouth. Her inner walls convulsed around him, and he shouted into her mouth, as his cock jerked and spilled his seed inside of her. They both slumped limply, Sloan onto the couch, and Lexi onto his chest.

  “Mm…I missed you.” Lexi said, smiling against his hard chest.

  “I missed you too, Princess.” Sloan sighed, sated and relaxed.

  “So this means that you’re moving back in with me, right? Since we are getting married and all?” Lexi asked.

  “Well…seeing as how I’m a little old-fashioned and like tradition. I’m not so sure that it’s a good idea for us to move in together until we’re married,” Sloan said, trying to keep a straight face.

  “Bullshit!” Lexi said, sitting up and giving him the evil eye. “You better have your things moved back by the end of tomorrow, Marine.” She ordered him.