Once he had some room to work with, Keith barged into her home. He took off his coat and sat on her sofa. Gina sat down, but she did not utter a single word.
Keith could feel the heat emanating from Gina’s upright body. She was way past angry. “Michael called me, and I knew that I had to come by. I couldn’t sleep until I knew for sure that you were okay.
Gina raised her eyebrows to let him know that she was okay. She still did not speak.
Keith sighed, knowing that this was going to be hard. But still he pressed on. “Gina, I know that you’re understandably angry at both of us, but I just wanted you to know that Michael really does love you. He wasn’t trying to play you at all. That whole thing with Karen is way in the past, and things between them were over, just the way that he said.”
Gina’s hissing teeth let Keith know that she was not impressed with his or Michael’s explanations. Michael had called him upset, to the point of tears. Keith did all that he could to calm him down. He had been overwrought at the thought of losing Gina. It was only when Keith assured him that he would try to get through to Gina that Michael had simmered down.
Keith knew that of the two of them, he had a better chance of getting in her house than his brother did. So far, that was all he had managed to do. Gina was a suppressed mass of extreme anger.
“Gina,” Keith said softly. He dropped his voice, hoping that his tone would help in soothing her ruffled feathers. “You know how I feel about you. I wouldn’t lie to you about this.” He saw that she had involuntarily leaned closer to hear him. So he continued, “Gina, I am in love with you. I only have your best interest at heart. I wouldn’t have let my brother near you if I didn’t think that he had genuine feelings for you. It’s hard for me to admit this, but Michael even talked of marriage.”
Gina’s mouth dropped open.
Okay, now she seemed a little more receptive. He dared to reach out his hands to touch her. He had to make some sort of physical contact with her. His heart was breaking to see her so hurt and confused. “I know that you probably don’t want to believe me,” Keith said with such gentleness that she finally made eye contact with him. He could see the tears in her eyes that she allowed to fall.
“But if you don’t know anything, you must know that I love you, Gina. I wouldn’t lie to you. I wouldn’t hurt you. Believe me, the way I feel about you, I would not have let my own brother deceive you. He loves you, babe. We both do.”
Gina reached her hands over to caress Keith’s cheeks. He leaned in and gave a tight hug. She relaxed against him.
“I love you too, Keith,” Gina whispered. To Keith, that admission had come from her soul. It had been torn from her very being.
Keith tensed at her declaration and withdrew from the hug. “Gina, what’re you saying?”
“I said,” Gina gulped, “I love you, Keith, and I know that you wouldn’t hurt me. Tonight made me realize that I’ve got to stop kidding myself. I want you, Keith. I guess I should be glad that Karen was there, because I wasn’t ready to talk to Michael about marriage. Not tonight. Not after the kiss we shared.”
“I know,” Keith soothed. He drew her close to him and gently rested his chin on her head. This time her hair spelled like apricots. “Gina, the way I’m feeling now, I know I’ve got no business being here. If I was a loyal brother, then I would leave right now. But my heart has a mind of its own. And it’s overjoyed that you love me.” As he spoke he shifted, until he was whispering in her ear.
Gina confessed, “I feel so guilty.”
“I know,” Keith comforted her by rubbing her shoulders. “Imagine how I must feel. But, Gina, we cannot continue like this. We have to do something about it. We have to make a decision tonight.”
“What kind of a decision?” Gina hedged and pulled out of his arms. She addressed him with troubled eyes. “I’m horrified at the thought of hurting Michael in any way, even though he’s hurt me. Basically, I would be helping to destroy a strong bond between you and your brother.”
Keith’s heart spoke for him. “I know the ramifications, but you are a risk I’m willing to take. I’d like to hope that, in time, Michael will find it in his heart to forgive me. But the way I feel about you, I’m willing to take that chance. Are you?”
Gina looked into Keith’s eyes. What would she decide? He wished he could read her mind.
Then she lifted her chin. “I can’t deny the passion you ignite within me. But, I love Michael too, and I can’t bear the thought of hurting him.”
Keith groaned. He kissed her. Endearments poured from his heart to his lips. Their ardent kisses increased as they engaged in a passion-filled tango.
You know you should stop. Don’t do this, Keith.
No ... No . . . For once in my life—
Keith blocked every single negative thought out of his mind. His love outweighed every rational thought. He unleashed all of his pent-up emotions, confident that Gina would be able to handle them. Without breaking the kiss, Keith picked her up in his powerful arms and carried her up the stairs to her bedroom. He entered Gina’s room and gently placed her to stand, so that he could look at her.
“Gina, are you sure about this?” Keith wanted to make sure because there would be no stopping him from this point.
Gina nodded her head and unzipped her dress.
Keith just stared at her, taking in everything that he had only previously imagined. She was a vision. He reached out his hands to touch her shoulders and to draw her closer to him. Placing a kiss on her neck, he promised, “I’m going to love you with everything I have to give. All night long.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
She clicked her heels three times . . .
Colleen was ready to go home. Francine had been unbearably nice to her, and it had been ingratiating. She had had to grit her teeth to keep from being catty. Francine had been as sweet as sugar in her presence, which aroused her suspicions. The old bat was up to something.
Whatever it was, she knew she wouldn’t like it. If she was a gambling woman, she’d bet all the money in her purse on that.
Then, at about eleven thirty p.m., the doorbell rang.
Colleen wondered who would be coming to Francine’s house at such a late hour. Francine jumped up and rushed to answer the door.
Curious, Colleen looked at Terence to see if he had a clue. He shrugged, signifying that he had no idea who the mystery guest was that his mother had expected.
Francine entered with a woman close on her heels. Terence’s indrawn breath made her focus on him. His eyes were widened with shocked recognition.
Colleen leaned forward to get a better glimpse of the woman. She was breathtakingly beautiful . . . a tall, majestic, dark-skinned beauty.
In her element, Francine didn’t even acknowledge Colleen. She addressed her son, “Terence, you remember Dana White, don’t you?”
“Terence!” Dana squealed with a distinct Jamaican accent and jumped into his arms. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
Terence visibly paled at the younger woman’s exuberant greeting. He extricated himself from her arms and said, “Hi, Dana.”
Dana flung her arms around his neck. “Aren’t you glad to see me?”
Colleen was tired of being the fly on the wall. “Terence, aren’t you going to introduce us?” She asked the question with her eyebrows raised in inquiry. For some reason, her heart began to pound. Dana was probably an old girlfriend. Colleen fiddled with her ring finger—for solace. She wouldn’t get jealous, not her. She who has the ring has the power.
“Uh, yes,” Terence stammered, again dodging out of Dana’s arms. “Dana, this is my wife, Colleen.”
“Wife?” Dana exclaimed. She stood up with her arms akimbo. “You never told me you had a wife.”
Dana was acting as if Terence was her man. Colleen’s heart hammered as she grappled to figure out the scene unfolding before her eyes. She stole a glance at Francine who remained quiet.
“When you came to Jam
aica, you never mentioned a wife to me.”
“Wait a minute,” Colleen interjected. She addressed her husband. “Terence, I thought that you’ve only been to Jamaica once and that was with me on our honeymoon.”
“Colleen,” Terence beseeched her, “give me a chance to explain—”
Dana cut him off, “And, perhaps you need to explain that to me too.”
Colleen trounced over to the other woman and got up in her face. “My husband owes you no explanation.”
Dana backed up, but she didn’t back down. “Yes . . . Yes, him do. After all, he was the one who approached me and sweet-talked me into giving him some; then he just up and disappeared. If his mother hadn’t found me, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I mean, I thought it was love at first sight.”
Colleen was at a loss for words. Was this woman saying that she and Terence had slept together? Colleen foamed at the mouth, but she sought to remain in control. She tapped her feet and counted to ten. That didn’t work. Lord, I need you. I need you, now. “Terence, aren’t you going to say something?” Colleen’s voice escalated.
Wait a minute. Her brain caught up with Dana’s words.
The ugly truth sank in.
“Is this woman saying that you slept with her on our honeymoon?” Colleen screamed at the mute man standing before her. She shook her head in denial. “That couldn’t be right.”
Colleen kept her eyes pinned on Terence. He was going to give her some answers. He broke contact first and pointed at Francine, who gloated. He accused her, “You did this! You just couldn’t stand to see me finally happy! I confided something to you and you . . .”
“So, it’s true,” Colleen broke in with a sob. She marched over to him and slapped him hard. Riled, she grabbed onto his shirt. “You hypocrite! You’re slime. Claiming to be a man of God. I can’t believe you would do this. You’re like a dog returning to his vomit—” Colleen looked at him with contempt. Through gritted teeth, she snarled, “I have no words for you,” before stepping back.
“Is it me she calling vomit?” Dana piped in and jumped into Colleen’s face.
Colleen stopped her cold. “You’d better get out of my face, or you’ll be picking your teeth up off the floor.” She knew she was saved, but she meant every word. It was eye for an eye time, and she wasn’t going to turn the other cheek—except to slap it. Wisely, Dana retreated to a chair in the far corner.
Francine found her voice and ranted, “Keep your trampy paws off my son, you . . . You ingrate.”
Colleen sneered at her mother-in-law, but didn’t bother to dignify her with a response. Spent, her tears flowing like a dam that had broken loose, Colleen clamped her jaws shut, but her resolve broke. “I loved you. I trusted you. I gave you the best of me.” She held her hands out toward him, “And this is how you repay me. I just don’t believe it.”
Terence took her hands in his and said, “Baby, let me explain.”
“No.” Colleen shook out of his grasp. “I don’t want to hear anything from you. In fact, I don’t ever want to lay eyes on you again.” Her nose and eyes were now running. Colleen could barely see through her tears, but she knew that she had to get out of there.
Francine watched her with a self-satisfied smile on her face.
“I hope you’re happy, you old witch. You finally got what you wanted,” Colleen’s grief slurred her words. She told Dana, “You’re welcome to him, ’cause I don’t deal with swine.”
Colleen grabbed her bag and flung the door open. She broke her heel on one of the steps and uttered a minor expletive in frustration. Searching for her keys to Terence’s car, she unlocked the car door and jumped in. Instead of starting the car, though, Colleen cried from heartache.
From the corner of her eye, Colleen saw Terence coming out of the house. He had her coat in his hands and took the steps two at a time. She did not hesitate. In one fluid motion, she started the car and pressed on the gas.
In her haste, she almost ran a stop sign. The tires screeched as she jammed on the brakes. She heard her phone buzz. Looking at the lighted screen, she saw Terence’s grinning face.
She pressed the button to roll down the windows. In one fluid move, she tossed the phone out the window. It landed on the concrete with a satisfying smash.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Terence watched Colleen’s car skid and the tires swerve. His heart leapt into his throat, and he clutched his chest. If something happened to her, Terence knew that he would never forgive himself. But he was powerless to stop her. Instead, he prayed, “Lord, please protect her. Don’t let anything happen to her.” He watched, rooted to the spot, until her car sped out of view.
What have I done? He put his head in his hands and dropped to the ground. He had just lost the only thing that had ever mattered to him.
Colleen had endured a lot at his hands, but asking her to overlook this would simply be asking too much. He let out a huge cry of agony and defeat. He had lost his wife for good this time, and there wasn’t anything that he could do about it.
A loud crack filled the air. It was followed by many more popping sounds. Terence looked up at the fireworks and heard all the shouts and festivities as people rang in the New Year.
“Happy New Year, Colleen,” Terence brokenly whispered into the air. No, he couldn’t let it go down this way.
He still had to try.
He called Colleen and left several messages on her cell phone. He didn’t know how long he’d been standing outside his mother’s house before he accepted that she wasn’t coming back. Defeated, Terence called a cab.
A hand touched his arm. He flinched. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”
Francine clutched her chest. “I just wanted to offer you a ride home.”
“No, thanks. I called a cab.” He cut his eyes at her as he waited. He tapped his feet trying to stay warm as he shivered from the cold.
“You can wait inside.”
“I suggest you get away from me, because it’s taking everything within me not to strangle you and that woman with my bare hands.” He didn’t even deign to look at her. His mother spun on her heels and ran inside the house.
Frozen, he said, “Thank you, Lord.”
When he made it home, he uttered a low “Hallelujah” when he saw his car in the driveway. Colleen’s car was also still there. He sought her out. He saw piles of neatly folded clothes. Some were on the bed, and some were in opened suitcases. Terence panicked at the thought of her leaving, until he realized that it was his clothes that she was packing. “Colleen, please don’t do this. Sweetheart, listen to me.”
She simply continued her methodical packing without even acknowledging his presence. When she was finished, Colleen had placed all of the things that she could fit into his car until it overflowed with suitcases.
“I love you, Colleen.” Terence spoke and declared his love for her until he was blue in the face, and still, his wife hadn’t offered a single response. She was like a robot.
Colleen left the room and went into the garage to get his golf clubs and other paraphernalia he had stored in there. Terence didn’t even bother to try to stop her. He was reluctant to admit it, but he was actually afraid that Colleen might snap and do something crazy if he interfered with her plans.
Once she was finished, Colleen didn’t even glance his way. She simply went up to what was now her room and locked the door. Terence still did not leave. He stood outside the bedroom door wondering if he should use his key, but he was scared of how Colleen might react. For a brief second, he even considered breaking the door down, but he thought better of it. His wife could be a hellcat when riled, and he wasn’t even trying to prick her temper in any way.
Then Terence heard what sounded like muffled sobs coming through the door. “Colleen, honey, please let me in,” he begged. He banged his head on the door in defeat. His heart started breaking at the sound of Colleen’s abject sorrow. Terence knew that she was past listening to any excuses or explanations th
at he had to give. So he said nothing. He simply left.
Terence checked into a hotel not too far from where he worked. “How am I supposed to go to work tomorrow? I can’t manage without her.”
His cell phone rang and hope flared in his chest. Colleen.
Quickly, he looked at the caller ID. His shoulders hunched with defeat once he saw his mother’s digits looking back at him. He cut his phone off midring. Then, all his hurt, pain, and sorrow catapulted into a huge ball of rage. His chest heaved. He rocked back and forth, stewing. This was all her fault. She meddled too much. Well, he’d had enough.
Terence grabbed his keys and jumped into his car. He was going to give his mother a piece of his mind. A tongue-lashing she deserved. Face-to-face!
The sun had just risen in the sky when Terence swerved in front of his mother’s house and screeched to an abrupt halt. His mother had just wrecked his life completely, and he deserved to know why.
Terence pressed on the doorbell until she answered the door. Her eyes dilated in surprise, but she wisely stepped aside. He pushed past but paused when he saw Dana was still there.
His eyes scanned the scene before him—the tea cups and other breakfast items. From the looks of things, the two of them were entertaining, carrying on as if they hadn’t smashed his joy to smithereens.
He bunched his fists as fire blew from his nostrils. Terence zoned in on Dana. “Get out.”
She didn’t move. Well, he was going to toss her out the door on her—
“Dana, could you please walk to the corner store and get me a few items? My son and I need some private time to talk,” Francine interjected. She stepped over to the counter, picked up a small notepad and pen, and scribbled a list of miscellaneous items. Francine reached for her Vera Bradley purse—a gift from him—hanging on the back of the chair and retrieved several twenty-dollar bills.
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