by Marilyn Lee
"Why are you taking her out?"
"Because you asked me to and I decided I wanted to please you."
"So you haven't changed your mind about her?"
"No."
Damn. "Then why are you taking her out?"
"I told you: to please you."
"If that's the only reason you're taking her out—"
"It is."
"Then what are you going to say to her?"
"That's between us."
"She's very easily hurt."
"I promise you I have zero intentions or interest in hurting her."
"I'm going to hold you to that promise." I glanced at my watch. "I have to go," I said.
He caught my hand again. "Have lunch with me."
"You want to have lunch with me and dinner with her?"
"No. I'd rather share both meals with you, but I asked her out to please you."
I tugged at my hand until he released it. "I have to go or I'll be late for work."
He inclined his head. "Okay. Have a good day, Sherlyn."
"You too," I said and gratefully stepped onto the elevator as it opened behind me. I briefly closed my eyes. Oh, Lord, give me strength to face this day and all the difficult ones to come.
* * *
Darkwater
I was still at home, seated on my bedroom balcony with my laptop on the table in front of me assuring myself I'd get to work any minute when Am called.
"If you're going to make a move with Sher, Darkwater, now's the time," she said.
I sighed, sat back against my chair and closed my eyes. "I don't recall saying I was going to make an attempt to see her again, Am."
"What? Are you...let me be brutally frank with you, Darkwater. If you don't do something soon, you'll lose her to Shane."
"You told me they weren't dating when we talked earlier."
"When I talked to you, I didn't know how last night went. Now I do."
I didn't like the sound of that. I opened my eyes and sat up. "And how did it go?"
"I can't break her confidence, but he's very interested in her, Darkwater."
"Is she interested in him?"
"Judging by how interesting she said things got when he took her home, yes."
Fuck! "Did she sleep with him?"
"All I'm going to say is that unless you're totally disinterested, it wouldn't be a good idea to allow those two to be alone again."
"And if I'm totally disinterested?"
"You wouldn't have called me at the crack of dawn."
"Amber—"
"I know this isn't easy for you. I know you find displays of affection hard. I know you find it difficult to say how you feel, but she's worth a little effort and worth risking your heart for again. I also know that you can have your pick of women, but I don't think any of them will ever love you as deeply as she does."
"You mean did."
"Do I?"
"Are you implying she's still in love with me?"
"I'm saying that Shane is a handsome, charming man who has the potential to win her heart just as Don did. Now why the hell would you just stand by and let that happen again?"
"Has she slept with him?"
"You should ask her that because I'm not prepared to break her confidence any more than I already have."
"So she has slept with him."
"I didn't say that. Will you do something for me, Thomas?"
"If I can you know I will."
"Don't let him take her from you. He's a great guy and if you allow them to really get to know each other, you'll lose her for good. He's starting to get lonely and wanting something different than his ex-wives. If you don't make a move, I'm afraid they'll fall for each other and you'll lose any chance to win her back."
"You've been talking to Michael."
"Yes, I have. We're all worried about you."
"There's no need."
"There's every need. Please, Thomas. Try again with her before it's too late."
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "I know everyone thinks I have no feelings, but I do and she..."
"She hurt you?"
I nodded. "I'm not eager to have her take another whack at my feelings."
"I can understand that, Thomas, but—"
"Thanks for calling, Am. I appreciate your concern. I'll talk to you later. Slap the hell out of Reddorn for me, will you?"
"Which one? John or Shane?"
"Both of their worthless asses."
"That's the spirit, Darkwater. Speaking of asses, get yours in gear. Love you."
"I love you too, Am," I said and hung up. And then sat taking slow, deep breaths trying to decide if I wanted to risk my heart again with Sherlyn or if I were okay with her ending up with Shane Reddorn. And seeing them together every time Amber gave some family related function.
* * *
Sherlyn
I spent an unproductive and unsettling day at work. I passed the morning waiting for Am or Janine to call me. Neither did and I felt too guilty to call them. After lunch at my workstation, I attended a meeting in the conference room where the H R manager informed us that layoffs were imminent and the company would be sending out the notices within the next week. Once given, layoffs would be effective immediately.
Great. Just before Darkwater and I started seeing each other, in an effort to lift my spirits, I'd bought a new SUV and moved into a larger, more expensive apartment in my complex. As I sat at my workstation, certain I'd shortly be getting a layoff notice, my phone buzzed.
After picking it up, I stared at the screen, blinked, and then stared again. T. Darkwater. Call me.
I admit that my first response was one of complete and utter joy and excitement. Finally he wanted me back. Then reality set in and I realized Michael had probably told him he'd seen me with Shane and...and what? Why would he care if I were dating Shane? Unless he objected to my wearing the choker he'd bought for another man. Too damn bad. He'd given it to me and it was mine to do with as I liked.
I'd call him seconds before hell froze over—maybe.
When I hadn't heard from Janine by three that afternoon, I called her.
"I'm too nervous to talk," she said. "I'll call you tomorrow morning before work to let you know how our date went, but I know it's going to go well. Don't you think?"
Oh, God! Should I tell her how Shane really felt or should I let her find out the hard way? I moistened my lips. "Janine—"
"I'll call you tomorrow morning," she said again.
"Janine, wait. I need to tell you—"
"I have to get back to work. I'll talk to you tomorrow morning, Sher."
Disheartened by how badly I felt, I bit the bullet and called Amber. "I'm sorry," I said as soon as she answered.
"For what?" She sounded distracted.
"For hanging up on you this morning."
"What? Oh. That. Forget it. I already have."
"Thanks. I can't talk long, but I wandered if you knew what was going on."
"With Janine? Yes. She just called me to tell me she's having dinner with Shane tonight."
"I know and I'm afraid how he's going to...what's going to happen when he tells her how he feels."
"I told her that she shouldn't expect too much because he was interested in someone else. Of course I didn't tell her that someone was you. You're the one who needs to tell her that."
I shook my head. "I won't need to because I have no intentions to going out with him again. I know it's cowardly but the thought of her knowing what almost happened makes me fear for our friendship."
"She won't hear it from me and I know Shane is a kind man—just as Darkwater is."
I sighed. "Since you seem intent on singing his praises as much as possible lately—"
"Why shouldn't I? He's a great guy and you didn't give him a fair shake."
"Strangely enough, I disagree, but you interrupted before I could finish my sentence."
"Knock yourself out," she said.
"What's going on
with him?"
"What do you mean?"
"He texted me and asked me to call him."
"Thank God!"
"It was surprising. Do you know he's never done that before?"
"Done what?"
"Texted me. He always called. Sometimes he emailed me, but never texted me. So what did he want?"
"I'll go out on a limb and suggest he probably wants another chance to see you. What did he say?"
"I told you what the text said."
"No. I mean what did he say when you asked him what he wanted? I know he's averse to discussing his feelings, but surely he must have made some response when you asked him."
"I didn't ask."
"What do you mean...oh, Sher! You didn't call him!"
"No, I didn't, but there's no need to make that sound like a crime."
"Given how you two feel about it, it is." She sighed. "Look, Sher, I know this is hard for you. It's hard for him too. He's never had to chase a woman."
"And he hasn't started with me, Am."
"Look, if you want to know what he wants, call and ask him. It's the other line...hold on a sec...it's Mom, Sher. She wants to talk about Darkwater. She's worried about him. Are you okay if we talk later?"
I nodded. "Yes. Give her my love."
"Will do."
I hung up feeling no more knowledgeable than when I'd called her. Surely if Darkwater had really wanted to rekindle our romance he would have made an effort to do so long before now. With my luck he wanted to rekindle our sexual relationship, this time without the pretense of romancing me. And I just could not handle that from him.
Shane was another manner. The idea of a strictly sexual relationship with him excited the hell out of me. But I couldn't go there without hurting Janine. And you can not do that. So get over your lust for him already.
I struggled to spend what was left of the workday actually working. Just after five, I left, dreading a long, stressful evening. In the parking lot, I came to an abrupt stop several feet from my SUV as a tall, striking Native American male got out of a late model car at my approach.
Darkwater. Oh lord. He looked as sexy as ever. My heart pounded and my pussy pulsed. Regret for the relationship I longed for but knew we could never have, weighted me down. I took a quick deep breath and slowly continued to my SUV.
"Sherlyn." He smiled.
It was a warm, slow smile that seemed to reach out and surround me; making me feel sensual and irresistible. Seeing it again, reminded me of waking the morning after we'd spent the previous night making love to find him looking at me as if he couldn't get enough of gazing at me.
I inhaled slowly, longing to rush forward to toss myself into his arms. Would I ever stop wanting something with him I could never have?
"It's been awhile," he said.
Too damned long. "What can I do for you?" I asked unlocking my SUV.
"Did you get my text?"
"Yes."
"Strange. Did I somehow miss your call?"
"I didn't call."
"I noticed."
I turned to face him. "What did you want?"
"I was hoping we could talk, Sherlyn."
I shrugged. "Do we have anything to discuss?"
His gaze narrowed. "Clearly I do or I wouldn't be here."
I met his gaze, recalled how intimate we'd been at our happiest and then felt my cheeks heating up. "I'm on my way home. If you really think it's necessary, I'll call you when I get there."
He put out a hand to keep me from opening my driver side door. "Don't bother. I'll follow you."
I shook my head. "Actually,—"
"I'll follow you," he said again.
We stared at each other for several moments before I reluctantly nodded.
Having gotten his way, he smiled and turned away to get back in his car.
"Great. Why don't you follow me, Darkwater?" I called after him, making no effort to conceal my annoyance.
He glanced over his shoulder, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Do you have any idea how sexy you are when you're annoyed, Drake?"
I inhaled slowly. So I'd been right. His interest now was strictly sexual. Wonderful. I got in my SUV and drove off, aware that he was close behind me.
The forty-five minute drive to my place seemed endless. By the time I pulled into my parking spot, I still had no idea how I wanted to handle the coming "talk" with him. Things got even worse when I realized my second parking spot was already occupied by Shane's car. Oh hell. I panicked at the thought of the two of them coming face to face until I realized Darkwater would have to drive around to the visitor's lot. By the time he walked back I would hopefully have had a chance to get rid of Shane.
But when had Darkwater ever done what I expected him to? Instead of driving around to the visitor parking lot, he pulled into an adjacent empty space and got out of his car just as Shane alighted from his. As I stood frozen, the two men stared at each other in what felt like instant dislike. I'm sure they knew who the other was, even though they'd never met.
Seeing them both together, recalled that steamy dream. I felt my cheeks burning and found it difficult to look directly at either of them.
Darkwater finally turned to look at me with a cold look in his dark gaze. And damn if I didn’t feel as if I'd been caught cheating. Then he turned to face Shane. "What the hell are you doing here, Reddorn?"
Shane allowed his hand to drop to his side. "Well, damn. It's nice to meet you too, Darkwater."
"What are you doing here?"
Shane shrugged. "Probably the same thing you are. I'm here to see Sherlyn."
"As you can see, she's with me."
"Is she? I understood she was finished with you."
"You understood wrong."
"Really? Why don't we let her decide who she wants to see?" Shane suggested.
"Why don't you get the fuck out of here before I—"
I stepped between them, facing Darkwater. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Are you dating him?" he demanded.
"No, but if I were it wouldn't be any concern of yours," I reminded him.
He stared down at me, his eyes looking like twin pools of cold, dry ice. "I suggest you tell him to get lost before I kick his ass."
"What the hell!" Shane snapped and stepped closer. "I'd love to see you try that shit."
Deciding that Shane might be the easier of the two to convince to leave, I swung around to face him. "Please don't tell me you've stood Janine up to come here."
He shook his head. "I'm picking her up in an hour but I wanted to see you first."
If only Janine hadn't seen and fallen for him first, I would whole-heartedly have embraced every opportunity to see him again and to drown my sorrows in a sexual relationship with him. Lord, what a mess. "Will you do me a favor, Shane?"
"Name it," he said.
"Leave. Now. Please."
He inhaled and narrowed his gaze. "You told me it was over between you two."
"It is."
"Then why should I be the one to leave?"
"Because I ask you to."
"Why not ask him to leave?"
I had a feeling nothing short of divine intervention would force Darkwater to leave one damn minute before he wanted to. "Please, Shane? Just do me this favor and leave now. Please."
He compressed his lips, gave Darkwater a cold stare, and then deliberately bent to claim my lips.
I wanted to draw away from him but his lips were so warm and insistent. I was so lonely that his obvious interest boosted my morale. The fact that Darkwater was watching and might somehow be jealous fueled the warmth I put into my response. He kissed me with such passion that my knees shook. Struggling to keep my response from spilling over into outright lust, I finally pressed my hands against his shoulders.
After a moment of resistance, he allowed me to pull away.
With my heart pounding and thoughts of that dream on my mind, I found it impossible to meet Darkwater's gaze.
&
nbsp; Shane had no such problem. He actually turned to smirk at Darkwater before moving towards his car. "See you soon, Sherlyn," he said.
Darkwater swore and stepped around me.
Not a good sign. I grabbed his hand. "Thomas!"
He pulled away.
I grabbed his hand again. "Thomas! You have a choice. You can either say what you want to say to me or you can start a fight with Shane. You can't do both. Your choice," I said and then turned away, praying he wanted to talk to me more than he wanted to punch Shane out.
Chapter Five
Sherlyn
I'd walked about thirty feet, half expecting to hear an exchange of fists before Darkwater fell into step beside me. I was so relieved, I nearly leaned against him. I turned and waved to Shane as he drove off.
We entered the building together in silence. We didn't speak until we were inside my apartment. Before I could ask if he wanted a drink, he turned me to face him and stared at me. "What the hell are you doing sharing a man with Janine?"
I compressed my lips. "I'm not sharing him or anyone else. I told you I'm not dating him."
"Then what the fuck was he doing here and why the fuck did he kiss you like that?"
He sounded satisfyingly jealous. "He clearly wanted to annoy you."
"And that's your explanation for that damned kiss? Why the hell should he want to annoy me when we've never met before tonight?"
"He knows you and John aren't the best of friends."
"So? What are you telling me? That I can expect to find all of John's damned brothers waiting for an opportunity to swap spit with you in that indecent manner?"
The urge to laugh at the image his words conjured in my mind was difficult to overcome. However, I knew any show of amusement would seriously piss him off. "Indecent manner? It was just a kiss, Darkwater."
"It was far more than a damned kiss, Sherlyn and you know it. Why the hell would you allow him to kiss you like that?"
"You almost sound as if you'd care if that were the case."
"Is it? Or is it just the case with him in particular?"
"You haven't answered my question," I pointed out.
"And I'm not going to."
But he expected me to answer his? Fuck that! "I don't recall stalking you and demanding to know who you've been sleeping with."
"So now I'm stalking you, Sherlyn?"