A Tempting Proposal (Kimani Romance)

by Sherelle Green

  “And we can worry about ourselves,” Jaleen added. “We’re a team, so when one of us is in trouble, we all step up and handle it together.”

  Looking at his friends, Daman knew he was lucky. Not many men would have read everything that was in that file and still trust him as they did.

  “There were some things I went along with that I’m not proud of. I should have questioned him more. After my father died, I looked up to my uncle so it was hard to think he was capable of embezzling money.”

  Jaleen and Taheim nodded their heads in understanding.

  “Malik was able to gather enough evidence against my uncle for me to turn him in. Fortunately, I didn’t even need to do that. My uncle met with me and told me everything...he explained why he did it. Why he felt he couldn’t stop embezzling money. Yesterday, I went with him to turn himself in. I still have a lot I need to work out so I’m going to get our lawyers and executive team together to come up with a plan.”

  “That’s good, D,” Taheim said as the three men walked back out of the office.

  “Have you told Imani?” Jaleen asked.

  “We talked about my uncle, but she doesn’t know the details. I plan on telling her soon, though.”

  Right after he answered, he heard Imani’s laugh and turned to see her, her parents, grandfather and partners headed in their direction.

  “And since I’m being honest with you guys now, yes, something more is going on between us.”

  Imani looked stunning in her navy blue evening gown. She’d changed out of her pre-gala dress, and he’d never seen her look more gorgeous.

  “That beautiful woman coming toward us, gentlemen, is the woman I love and the future Mrs. Barker. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

  Both Taheim and Jaleen shared a laugh, each slapping Daman on the back.

  “Your secret’s safe with us, man,” Jaleen responded before Imani and the group made it to them.

  Everyone exchanged hugs and continued saying what a great job the volunteer team had done to pull off such a huge event. Daman pulled Imani aside to make sure everything on her end of the planning was going smoothly.

  They only had forty minutes before the gala was going to start and Daman had a few other things he needed to accomplish beforehand. He pulled Mr. Burrstone aside to get confirmation from him that it was okay to go forth with his plan. Daman really respected Mr. Burrstone so he’d called him yesterday to tell him what he planned to do.

  “I think it’s time, son,” Ed said, clasping Daman’s shoulders.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention,” Daman said to his partners, Imani’s parents and her partners. “Can you all follow me, please? I only need ten minutes of your time.”

  “Daman, what’s this about?” Imani asked.

  Daman walked over to her and grabbed her arm. “Just follow me,” he said as he led her down the hall with everyone following behind. He stopped at a conference room and walked inside. As discussed, his mother was sitting in the room awaiting their arrival.

  “Hello, Mrs. Barker,” Imani said, giving her a soft hug.

  “Hello, sweetie,” Patricia replied as she returned the hug.

  Daman made introductions before asking everyone to sit at the table.

  “I know you all are wondering why I asked you to meet in here before the gala,” Daman said to the group. “I recently learned some information a couple days ago and felt like now was the perfect time to disclose this information. Secrets tend to destroy relationships and since this secret affects Imani and myself, I felt it best to reveal the secret in front of the people we love most.”

  The look of confusion was evident on Imani’s face.

  “Mom, you want to take the lead?”

  “Okay, son,” Patricia said as she stood to talk.

  “When my husband, Stan, died, I was devastated. It took me a long time to accept the fact that although my husband was gone, that didn’t mean I had to stop living my life. I pushed away so many people I loved and broke so many great friendships, that I didn’t know how to mend the bonds I’d broken. That includes my friendship with Edward and Faith Burrstone.”

  Imani gasped, clearly surprised by the news. So were her partners and Daman’s partners. But Imani’s parents only smiled, leading Daman to believe they’d known all along.

  Patricia glanced at Imani. “I should have told you, too, Imani. You are so much like your grandmother that it felt like I was seeing a ghost when you came to my house.”

  “And Daman,” Patricia said as she turned to Daman. “I should have told you that I knew Imani as soon as you got to my house. I just couldn’t deal with you being disappointed in me. I’d turned away from so many people who tried to help me get over your father.”

  “Mom, you don’t owe me an apology,” Daman responded as he pulled his mom into a hug. “I know what you went through when we lost Dad.”

  Patricia sobbed as Daman consoled her. “Yes, I do,” Patricia said, breaking their hug and walking over to Ed.

  “Faith tried to be there for me so many times,” Patricia said to Ed. “I am so sorry I let the despair I was feeling from losing Stan affect my relationship with Faith. I exiled all my friends and family from my life, but she was the only one who continued to be there for me. I received every Christmas and birthday card that she ever sent me, but I was too embarrassed to ask for forgiveness. So on behalf of Faith, I’ll ask for your forgiveness, instead.”

  Ed draped his arms over Patricia and pulled her into a hug.

  “Patricia, Faith knew you loved her, and she knew one day you’d realize that you have friends and family who love you and want to be there for you. Ever since Stan’s death, you haven’t really been living your life. We’re getting old, woman. Now, don’t you think it’s time to start living again?”

  Laughing, Patricia playfully slapped Ed on the arm. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

  Yesterday, when Daman had talked to Ed, he’d told him that Uncle Frank was always jealous of the closeness Stan and he shared. When he heard Barker Architecture was in trouble, he wanted to help, but figured Frank wouldn’t be receptive, so he used a fake name.

  Daman looked over at Imani and saw her dabbing tears out of her eyes. She stared back at him with that adorable look he loved so much. He was glad to see the love still shining in her eyes. After all this drama, the only thing he could think about doing was taking her back to his hotel room and locking themselves away from the outside world for a couple of days. She winked at him and smiled a smile that promised in due time, she’d make his wish come true.

  * * *

  The gala was a huge success, and Imani was glad that everything had gone perfectly. Business owners and entrepreneurs from around the United States were present and men and women came dressed to impress. A lot of awards were given out to individual entrepreneurs and business owners, but the awards that received the most media buzz were the businesses that won the lifetime achievement, excellent community service and outstanding performance awards. Imani was eager to see what new technology product would develop from the tech company that won the award for having the best innovative ideas and products.

  Black Enterprise was extremely pleased with the way everything turned out and thanked Imani and Daman at the end of the ceremony. Attendees were requesting her business card left and right when they found out Elite Events helped plan the amazing event. She and her partners had to get a game plan together as soon as they got back to Chicago.

  Making her way to the room where the after party was taking place, she couldn’t help but reflect on the revelations that were disclosed earlier. Imani still couldn’t believe their families knew each other!

  During the conversation between her grandfather and Patricia, Cyd had whispered to Imani to look at their parents’ reactions. One look and she knew that the Barkers and the Burrstones had been longtime friends. She’d gotten a chance to talk to Patricia and her mom a few minutes before the gala began. Patricia confessed tha
t most of the furniture in her home was made up of pieces she and Gamine found together. On one of those shopping days, Imani and Daman had actually been with them. The picture of her and Gamine that sat over her fireplace was taken by Daman’s mom outside of one of the stores. To think that she and Daman had actually met before baffled her, but it was comforting at the same time.

  Closing her eyes, she remembered a time when she went shopping with Gamine and became friends with the son of one of Gamine’s friends. Back then, boys were disgusting, and she didn’t initially want to play with him. But he convinced her to play hide-and-seek outside the furniture store, and they’d had so much fun that she’d made Gamine promise to bring her back to play with him again.

  During the entire story, Hope had been smiling at Imani. Her mom confessed that Ed had decided to tell her and her father everything a couple weeks ago but made them promise not to say anything and to let everything work out on its own. She knew she loved Daman, and knowing about his relationship with his uncle and his struggle to right a wrong only made her love him more. She wanted a future with him. She wanted her fairy-tale ending. But he didn’t love her; he only lusted after her, and in her book, that was a big difference.

  During intermission, she told Daman the story Patricia had told her about them meeting before. He just smiled, kissed her and told her that they had to get the show on the road. She hoped that hadn’t meant that he was already trying to figure out how he would let her down gently. He probably figured that since their families seemed to have rekindled a friendship, he needed to break this thing off fast before he hurt her. Newsflash, Daman: her heart was already in it, and later, she planned on telling him just that.

  Walking into the room where the after party was being held, she was surprised to see her family and friends there. Daman had told her to arrive thirty minutes before the party started to make sure everything was set up properly. No one had noticed she’d entered the room until the door shut behind her, causing everyone to turn around.

  “Why are you all in here already?”

  “They’re here because I asked them to be,” Daman said as he emerged from behind her.

  “I realized that almost everyone in this room has had a hand in getting us together.”

  She didn’t dare hope he was doing what she wished he was doing, so she let him continue without asking another question.

  “Since meeting you, my entire life has changed for the better. When my father died, I swore I would never allow myself to love someone so hard, only to have that person taken away from me. I knew the minute you walked into the Simses’ office, you were unlike any woman I’d ever met. Over the course of our partnership, I completely forgot we were vying for the same estate. I don’t know exactly when I fell in love with you because if I think about it, I can’t remember a time in these past few months when I wasn’t in love with you. When we were younger and Gamine and my mom took us shopping, I remember playing outside with you and having the time of my life. I told my mom that for a girl, you were okay, and I wouldn’t mind playing with you again. I didn’t realize many years later, that same little girl would be the woman I’d want to spend the rest of my life with. You make me want to strive to be a better man, and I’ve found myself opening up to you in ways that I’ve never opened up with anyone else. I think both of us had our hearts guarded when we first met. But somewhere along the way, you broke the guard around my heart. I would love nothing more than for you to make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife.”

  Bending down on one knee, Daman pulled out the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling as she got lost in his eyes.

  “Imani Rayne, will you marry me?”

  Wiping the tears off her face, she tried her best to control all the emotions she was feeling.

  “When I first met you, I thought you were arrogant and sarcastic. I thought you saw yourself as God’s gift to women.” Hearing Taheim and Jaleen laugh behind them caused her to smile.

  “But I was wrong to judge you. The more I got to know you, the more I learned about the true Daman Barker...the man behind the sarcastic comments and arrogant ways. Being a proud man doesn’t make you arrogant, and your sarcasm was just a part of your sense of humor. I think I’ve slowly been falling in love with you since the day we met, even though I’ve tried to keep myself from doing just that. I’d forgotten that we were supposed to be vying for the estate, too. I do remember that time playing when we were younger, and I also remember making Gamine promise to take me to play with you again one day. Your strength and determination are only a few qualities of yours that have made me fall deeper in love with you.”

  Talking a little softer, Imani continued. “I admire the man that you are so much, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. Yes, Daman Barker, I will marry you because I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

  As Daman slid the ring on her finger, he looked into her eyes, and Imani saw the love that he had for her. He also handed her a paper that showed the Simses had released both properties to the future Mr. and Mrs. Daman Barker, on the condition that they could only get the properties as husband and wife. All of their family and friends were clapping and cheering for them, but as his lips got closer to hers, all she could think about was how happy she was to be sharing her life with such an amazing man.

  As soon as his lips touched hers, she felt the butterflies in her stomach and welcomed the feelings and emotions she used to try to hide. Daman had taught her to let go of the past and focus on the present, when he had actually been a part of her past. They had been the missing piece in each other’s puzzle. They had been missing that piece of their past and their present lives. But now, sharing this kiss with Daman, she couldn’t think of the past or the present...only a future with the man who’d stolen her heart.

  Epilogue

  Imani stared out the bedroom window on the top floor of her grandfather’s house, and couldn’t help but smile at how wonderful all the decorations in the backyard looked. The landscape was already beautiful, but the elegant decorations that had been added took her breath away.

  Elite Events Incorporated had managed to pull off the wedding of the year in only two months. She knew that Cyd, Lex, Mya and the team were overwhelmed with how quickly they had to pull everything together, but after all, it was her wedding, and she wanted the day to be perfect. Luckily, she had friends and family who loved her so much that they were willing to dedicate their time to make sure everything went off without a hitch.

  Frank’s trial was starting soon, and Daman had insisted that they get married before it began. They were lucky enough to be blessed with a seventy-degree October day, and Imani couldn’t be happier.

  “Sis, I know it’s your big day and you’re entitled to do what you want, but if we don’t get you in this wedding dress, Mom and Mrs. Barker are going to hurt us. The wedding is already running behind schedule.”

  She laughed at Cyd’s comment because her bridesmaids were all in their lavender dresses, yet she and Daman had shown up late for their own wedding. Traditionally, the bride and groom were not supposed to see each other the night before the big day. Daman figured that getting a quickie in on the day of the wedding didn’t count. When he showed up at her condo at 12:01 a.m., she didn’t have the heart to tell him that his version of “tradition” was wrong.

  “We know what you’re thinking about,” Mya said. “And don’t think we couldn’t hear what you were doing in your bedroom. We were right down the hall.”

  “And Aunt Hope would seriously kill us if she knew we let you and Daman fool around the morning of your wedding,” Lex added. “We were supposed to be there to make sure that didn’t happen.”

  Imani didn’t care. She was glad he’d stopped over. They’d been doing so much planning that they’d barely gotten a chance to see each other.

  Cyd cleared her throat, causing Imani to glance over at her. Lately, Cyd had seemed bothered by
something, and Imani wished she knew what it was. She’d asked her several times while they were planning the wedding, and each time, Cyd said she was fine. But she knew better. Something was bothering Cyd, and after her honeymoon, she’d have to focus on getting Cyd to talk about whatever was troubling her.

  A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

  “Oh, no,” Lex said, as she went over to answer the door. She assumed it was Hope or one of the aunts. Instead, all the women were surprised to see Mrs. Sims.

  “Imani, you don’t have on your dress yet!” Mrs. Sims said in surprise. Imani got up to hug the woman who held a special place in her heart.

  “No, but I was just about to put it on.”

  “Well, now you can wait,” Mrs. Sims replied before turning toward the bridesmaids. “Ladies, can we have a minute?”

  “Sure,” Cyd answered, as she ushered everyone out of the room.

  “Imani, sweetie, I have something to share with you,” Mrs. Sims said. “By now, you know that I had the pleasure of watching both you and Daman grow up. Through your union, Patricia and I have reconnected, and I’m so happy that you and Daman are getting married.”

  Imani watched as Mrs. Sims pulled out an envelope with her name on it.

  “Sweetie, Gamine asked me to give you this letter on your wedding day. I would explain more, but it is my understanding that this letter will explain it all.”

  Imani couldn’t slow the beating of her heart. Her eyes instantly filled with tears at how monumental the moment was. She’d wished every night that Gamine could be at her wedding, and now, she had a letter that was written to her to read on her wedding day. Mrs. Sims kissed her cheek before heading toward the door.

  Opening the handwritten letter, she quickly steadied her shaking hands and began reading.

  My Dearest Imani,

  Of all my grandchildren, you were always the nurturer—the one who would try her best to make sure everyone was okay and getting along. Your heart loves to its fullest, and you are so giving that I hope you make sure to give a little to yourself, too. I know today is your wedding day, and more than anything I wish I were there for you. I know the grandkids never liked my meddling, but in this case, I think you’ll forgive me. I thank Daman’s father, Stan, for making his son believe the estate was something he should go after because I did the same thing for you. Of course, Stan and I always thought we’d be around to see the love story unfold, but everything happens for a reason. We knew that when the time was right and the Simses decided to sell, you both would try to fulfill our wishes. And I’m forever grateful to the Simses, as well as Vicky and Pete for fulfilling my wishes, as crazy as I knew they were. Baby, you and Daman were meant for each other. This was the only way I could think of to get you both together. Don’t ask me how I knew you two would eventually fall in love. A grandmother just knows these things. I asked Mrs. Sims to withhold this letter if either of you had found love elsewhere, so if you’re reading this, that means fate has played a hand, as well. Enjoy the estate because it does hold the answers you and Daman were searching for...a fulfilling life with the one person you can’t live without. There will be good times and bad times, as there are in every marriage. Always remember to cherish the good times, and never forget that together, you can overcome any obstacle. I may have left this earth, but I will forever be in your heart. It was my time to go, and now my dear Imani...it is your time to live...