by Pamela Yaye
“It doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say,” he told her, speaking to her thoughts. “I don’t care if I have to spend all week in church. I’ll do whatever it takes to win over your parents.”
“Don’t let my dad hear you say that! He’ll work you to the bone!”
Their laughter alleviated the tension.
“I’ve changed, Kyra, and I swear that I’ll never hurt you again. You have my word on that, baby.” Kissing from her cheek to her neck, he whispered, “I love you, Kyra, and I want you to be my girlfriend. Can we go steady again?”
Her smile returned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 19
Terrence’s rental house was three blocks away from Hollington College. Freshly painted, the attractive, three-bedroom duplex featured dark, maple wood, a spacious main floor and a fully fenced yard with an expansive deck.
“Want a quick tour?” His grin widened. “There’s a hot tub upstairs. Interested?”
Kyra laughed. It had been her job to get the house ready for his arrival, and she probably knew more about the rental property than he did. “Maybe later. You promised me a back rub and I came to collect!”
“I only work in the bedroom,” he joked, pecking her cheek. “Let me grab some music.” Opening the entertainment unit, he perused the rack of CDs inside. “Sade, Dru Hill, oh yeah, we gotta have some Prince.”
“The light on your answering machine is blinking.” Kyra pointed at the black, square box. “You have two new messages.”
Standing, a pile of discs in hand, he strolled over to the end table. “My agent is the only one who has this number. Do you mind?”
“Go ahead,” she said, picking up the remote and aiming it at the flat screen. “I’ll just watch a little TV while I wait.”
“Not so fast.” Terrence folded his arms around her. “I want you to share in my good news. Today’s the day I officially launch my acting career.”
“It is?” Hearing the disappointment in her voice, she forced a smile. What was she going to do now? She’d promised Mr. Morrow those signed contracts by the end of the month, and now Terrence was talking about his acting career.
“You’re about to witness history. Watch out Matt Damon! Here comes Flash!”
Chuckling, he hit Play on the machine. A man with a deep throaty voice spoke in rapid-fire speech. “Yo, Terrence, what’s up? It’s me, Glen. Just got the call from the casting director of the Robert De Niro flick. It’s a no-go. They decided to go with someone else. And Celebrity Apprentice isn’t interested, either. Keep your head up, man. I’ll check back with you in a couple weeks.” Click.
Kyra didn’t know what to say. “Terrence, I am so sorry.”
“For what?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Other opportunities will come. I just gotta be positive and keep doing my thing.”
“You definitely have the right attitude about it.” Although he smiled, she could tell he was disappointed. Overcome with sympathy, she reached out and touched a hand to his cheek. “That’s why we want you to coach the Lions. Terrence, you have a great outlook on life and I’m absolutely convinced that you’re the right man for the job.”
“What about you, Kyra? Am I the right man for you?”
The build-up was insane. What was he waiting for? Why doesn’t he just kiss me, already? The room was so quiet Kyra could hear wind chimes tinkling outside. Her gaze swung from the window to his face. Deep brown eyes stared back at her. Tonight, she didn’t have the strength to turn away from him. Not here. Not now. Not when he’d dropped a small fortune on dinner and surprised her with such a beautiful gift.
“I love you,” he whispered, working his hands over her shoulders, his mouth closing in on her lips. “More than words can ever explain.”
Gripped by his impenetrable stare, she blinked hard to clear the tears from her eyes. He spoke with such heart and sincerity, she couldn’t speak. Wanting to please, she pinned him against the wall. Inflamed with desire, she moved her warm body down his sculpted torso. Her nipples grazed his chest, and a moan ripped from his mouth.
Kyra lowered herself to her knees. Her hands fluttered over his chest, and down his stomach. Holding his gaze, she pulled down his boxers and tenderly stroked his shaft. Cupping his butt, she moved him in and out of her mouth, loving the feel of his erection against her lips.
Eyes closed, head back, Terrence dug his hands into her luscious hair. Kyra licked from his navel to his penis, and he groaned deep in his throat. His self-control, which he’d been fighting to hold on to since she’d walked into the conference room six weeks ago, ebbed away like the shadows of the passing night.
“Terrence, you taste so good.
Blood rushed to his groin. Numb and dazed, he dropped his head and closed his mouth. Despite her very buttoned-up persona, she liked to use the dirtiest language in bed and when Kyra called him Big Daddy he chuckled long and hard. Her short, fast, in-and-out movements aroused him, and just when he thought he’d implode, she slowed and started the explosive pattern all over again.
Standing, she closed her hands around him, lovingly caressed the back of his head. Terrence found a condom and rubbed his erection against her thighs. Kissing passionately, they tumbled onto the couch like a pair of human bowling pins. “Terrence, stop! I still have my shoes on!”
“I love your stilettos. They’re staying on!”
Kyra shrieked with laughter.
Head angled to the right, Terrence ground against her with a savage intensity. Hooking a leg around his waist, she carefully ran the tip of her stiletto along his thigh. Frantically unhooking her bra, he shrugged the straps down her shoulders, then slowly and reverently cupped her breasts into his hands. He bit her neck playfully and she moaned her pleasure. Seeing her physical reaction thrilled him, so he did it again. “That hurts so good!” she quipped, wearing an extra lusty smile. “Do that again, baby…”
Grabbing her breasts, he alternated between licking, sucking and fondling each chocolate-brown nipple. His touch was exhilarating and drove her to the brink. He massaged her clit through her panties, then yanked them aside and dipped a finger inside her sex. Moving her hips slowly back and forth, she rocked against him, creating a beautiful, erotic rhythm.
Stunned by the strength of his passion, he cupped her face and lavished kisses on her warm cheeks. “I could never get enough of this…could never get enough of you,” he rasped, the voice he heard in his ears not his own. “I love you, Ky, and I need you in my life. I’m sorry that it took me this long to come back to you.”
Terrence shed the rest of his clothes. Running his tongue along her bare skin, he gathered her up in his arms and kissed away her falling tears. Sensitive to her needs, he told her she was gorgeous, stunning, the smartest, most appealing sister he knew. And it was true. Kyra was all the woman he needed. His primary concern would always be to make her happy, so he reined in his desires and teased her clit with his tongue.
Kyra ran her nails over his back, and he cursed under his breath. Terrence couldn’t hold back any longer. He eased inside her in one fluid motion, swirling around her core. Riding her senselessly, he stroked her like a man possessed. His thrusts got deeper, wilder, more frenzied. Terrence rotated his hips, thrusting back and forth, plunging yet deeper inside her. The last thing Terrence remembered before being hammered by a hard, crippling orgasm was the sound of her salacious moans in his ears.
Terrence lifted the tumbler to his mouth and choked down his whiskey. Despite making love to Kyra twice, sleep eluded him, and after she’d drifted off in his arms, he’d come into the living room and poured himself a drink.
Returning the glass to the coaster, he settled back into his seat, staring blankly at the forty-inch TV screen. In his mind’s eye, he saw her riding him, teasing him, driving him to the brink with her tongue. Laughter was a sexy aphrodisiac, and he liked how Kyra played and joked in the bedroom. Kyra Dixon was his dream. The type of woman he wanted to marry. Had to marry.
Kyra
touched his life in ways that no one else ever had, and he felt lucky to have her back in his life again. So much so, he hadn’t given a second thought to losing out on the Robert De Niro movie. Opportunities for ex-NFL running backs were few and far between, but with Kyra by his side, he could handle anything.
Terrence put his feet up on the ottoman and felt a sharp pain in his back. Grimacing, he popped open the bottle of aspirin, tossed a couple into his mouth and drained his glass.
“I thought I heard the TV.”
Swallowing hard, a fist-size knot in his throat, he slowly lifted his eyes to Kyra’s face. Standing in the darkened hallway, looking dangerously sexy in his white undershirt, she pushed a hand through her hair, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Terrence, are you okay?”
Lowering the empty tumbler, he picked up the remote and muted the TV. He wanted to go to her, but the pain in his shoulder had spread down his back and he didn’t think he could walk without limping. “Sorry about the noise. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She nodded absently, her forehead creased with wrinkles. “When I woke up and didn’t see you, I got worried. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
Terrence patted the space beside him. “Sit and keep me company for a while.”
“It’s three in the morning,” she said, padding into the room and settling beside him on the couch. “I can’t believe you’re sitting in the dark watching old Martin reruns.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You always were a night owl. Back when we were dating, I’d wake up in the middle of the night and find you studying your play book or watching game film.”
Worried she might misconstrue his absence from their bed, he said, “For years I thought I was just a light sleeper, but after my rookie season, the team doctor confirmed that I had severe insomnia.”
Leaning in, her breasts pressed against his arm, she stroked the back of his neck. “How could you play football on only a few hours of sleep every night?”
“I learned to live with it. There’s no bellyaching in the NFL. Either you go out and get the job done, or risk losing your spot.”
“Has it gotten better now that you’ve retired?”
“A little. Over the years, I tried everything from hypnosis to meditation, but nothing really worked. Now, if I get five hours of sleep, I’m happy.”
“How about your knee? Is it acting up again?”
“It’s nothing a little Jack can’t cure,” he joked, reaching for the bottle and topping up his glass. “In a couple days, I’ll be as good as new.”
Kyra picked up the bottle of aspirin and her eyes went wide. “Terrence, it’s empty. How many of these have you had today?”
“I have three every few hours.”
Her mouth fell open. “And you wash them down with whiskey?”
“Don’t look so worried, Ky. I’ve been doing this for years. It’s either that or live in constant pain.” He added, “Lots of athletes self-medicate.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s right.” Hand propped up on the couch, her expression grim, she examined him closely. “Drugs and alcohol don’t mix, Terrence, not even over-the-counter ones like Advil and Motrin.”
“When my back is acting up, it’s the only thing that helps.” Terrence frowned. His explanation sounded weak, asinine, like something a drug addict might say. “I don’t have a problem, Ky. That’s not what this is. It’s just a…a bad habit.”
The light from the television illuminated the fear in Kyra’s pale brown eyes. Feeling guilty, he folded his arms around her, and kissed the top of her forehead. “Baby, I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m fine. I swear.”
“Motrin and booze might seem harmless, but what you’re doing can have dangerous consequences.”
Terrence had a bitter taste in his mouth. Something in her tone made him feel small, foolish, as if he was living a lie. Did she really believe he had a problem? Her words buzzed in his mind like bees in a cornfield. His body had taken a beating over the course of his ten-year career, but he’d never abused drugs and alcohol. He had to make Kyra see the truth, had to prove to her that he wasn’t just another reckless athlete.
After several long, painful minutes, Kyra broke the silence. “Two years ago, my Aunt Bridgett and Uncle Lewis were in a tragic car accident. Sadly, after three days in a coma, she passed away.”
Terrence took her hand. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“My uncle was in the hospital for weeks,” she continued, her voice filled with sadness. “Not only did he have to deal with the grief of losing his wife of seventeen years, he was plagued with chronic back pain. Doctors prescribed painkillers, but his symptoms only got worse.”
“Is he better now?”
“Luckily, he was referred to a herbalist who specializes in promoting health through nutrition, herbs and exercise. He’s still not a hundred percent, but he’s coming along.”
Eager to know more, he said, “Tell me more about your uncle’s treatments.” Terrence listened intently, his eyes glued to her pretty oval face. What continually amazed him about Kyra was her genuine concern for others. Maybe it was her ties to Pi Beta Gamma, or maybe it was because she’d been raised in the church, but he’d never met a more loving, generous woman.
He held her closer, tighter, worried that she was angry at him, or worse, disappointed. In light of what he’d seen his teammates do over the years, downing aspirin with booze was tame. Until tonight, he’d never considered the risks of what he was doing, but deep down he knew Kyra was right. He didn’t want anything to build a wedge between them, and more than anything, he wanted her respect.
“Do you think this herbalist woman can help me?”
“It’s worth a try, isn’t it?”
As his eyes glided down her body, his hands reached out and teased. “Set something up for next week and we can go see her together.”
“I’ll call first thing tomorrow.”
He looked at her, and shook his head. “I didn’t have a choice, did I?”
“Nope.” Kyra giggled. “You should know by now that I always get my way.”
“Spoken like a true diva.”
“I’m not a diva,” she protested, poking out her bottom lip. “Just politely persistent! Terrence, you were going to see Marie Vasteles whether you liked it or not. I would have kidnapped you if I had to!”
A laugh burst out of his mouth. He didn’t doubt it. When Kyra got an idea in her head, there was just no stopping her. Just another thing about her that he loved. She was his heart, his dream, the woman he’d been looking for his whole life. With her, he could block out everything around him and just enjoy the moment. For all his talk and bravado, he enjoyed being in a committed relationship and loved when she snuggled in his arms.
They talked, and laughed until the sun crept over the horizon. When she rested her head on his shoulder, Terrence was struck by the strength of his feelings. He loved her—not because the sex was amazing or because she took care of him, but because she told him the truth. And when she fell asleep in his arms, he swept her up and carried her into the bedroom where they made love for the third time.
Chapter 20
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Tamara threw her arms around Kyra, embracing her in a fierce Pi Beta Gamma hug. “I had my first meeting with the florist and she insisted on showing me every single arrangement in her shop! I love roses as much as the next girl, but I’m not about to spend twenty grand on a bunch of flowers. ”
“You only get married once, right? Might as well do it big!”
The women laughed.
Appearing with menus, the hostess led them to a table beside the window. Situated in downtown Atlanta, three blocks from the Centennial Tower, Fusion Café was a sleek, uptown bar with a tasty eight-page menu that spanned the globe. To start, they ordered a chicken appetizer, garden salads and a pitcher of soda.
“I still can’t believe you’re engaged!” Kyra confessed, setting her menu aside. “Four months a
go you were interviewing A-list stars, and now you’re planning a wedding, moving to L.A. and—”
“Pregnant!”
Kyra gasped. “Oh, my goodness, Tamara! That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.” Reaching for her girlfriend’s hand, she gave it a warm squeeze and congratulated her again. “Micah must be over the moon. He’s wanted you forever, and now he has you and a little one on the way.”
Nodding, her face glowing with happiness, Tamara laughed softly. Five-seven, with fair skin and hazel green eyes, she was a gorgeous, fun-spirited girl who enjoyed life. She’d always been the bright, happy type, but today, she seemed lit from within. “Micah’s been fawning all over me ever since he learned about the baby. I’m not used to all this attention,” she confessed, wearing a shy smile. “It’s sweet, but kind of overwhelming, too.”
“Don’t complain,” Kyra scolded, pointing at her girlfriend with her fork. “I’d switch places with you in a heartbeat.”
“I have it pretty good, don’t I?”
“Damn right you do! The last time I saw you, you were really upset about your breakup and now you’re rocking a gigantic ring and smiling from ear to ear.”
“Oh, my God, I never told you how he proposed!” Turning serious, Tamara put down her fork and wiped her mouth with her napkin. Ensuring she’d be heard above the chatter, she slid her chair closer. “We’re both avid hikers, so when Micah suggested we spend the weekend at a quaint mountain lodge, I was all for it.”
“Wow, you really have changed,” Kyra observed, her eyes combing over her girlfriend’s face. “Back in the day when Pi Beta Gamma used to organize The Boys & Girls Club summer camps, you’d whine about having to sleep in a tent!”
Both women laughed. A waiter arrived with their orders and when he left, Tamara continued. “We decided to take a stroll along the grounds and ended up on this beautiful hill overlooking a small lily pond. I was going on and on about the hybrid rose exhibit going on in town, but when I suggested we check it out, Micah didn’t answer. I turned around and there he was. Down on bended knee, holding my ring.”