They stepped inside the wide foyer decorated in black and white marble tiles, removed their coats and placed them on Robinson’s outstretched arm. Zanaa took Scott’s hand as they moved down the wide hallway towards the sounds of music, people talking and laughing. She led him through a spacious antique filled living room with rich cherry wood furnishings and exquisite hand woven imported rugs. When she finally reached the great room, Zanaa took a deep breath then pushed opened the double doors.
“Surprise!” everyone screamed.
Her heart missed a beat as she stared at awe at her family. The room had been decorated with balloons, steamers and a congratulations banner. Everyone was standing around clapping and welcoming the couple, while a tall willowy woman dressed stylishly in a navy blue slacks and a matching blouse moved toward them, holding a cake in her hands and a matching blouse moved toward them, holding a cake in her hands with Congratulations On Your Engagement in blue frosting.
“Welcome home, dear,” Brenda Reynolds said with tears in her eyes.
“Thanks, Mother.” She moved up to her and brushed a kiss on her nutty-brown cheek. Her mother smiled with her large round eyes sparkling then turned to the man standing beside her daughter.
“This must be Scott.”
He nodded and stepped forward and planted a kiss to her cheek as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Reynolds.”
Her lips thinned, giving her a pouty mouth and an extremely sultry look. “They’ll be none of that. Call me Mother Reynolds like everyone else does.”
Scott smiled and appeared both pleased and relieved. “Then Mother Reynolds it is.”
She excused herself and carried the cake over and sat it on top of a large antique table covered with food. Zanaa took Scott by the hand and led him over to the group standing near a huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree with a blanket of wrapped gifts underneath. Paulette came over and gave them both a kiss before introducing him to her children, Evan and Kyle. Next he met their younger sister, Barbara, and her husband, Bernard. Everyone was surrounding them and talking at the same time.
Zanaa felt like she was having an out of body experience. Her family was so happy for her. Her sisters squealed at the sight of her ring while her mother reached for a Kleenex and dabbed her eyes every few minutes.
Zanaa never expected them to be this excited and felt an overwhelming feeling of guilt. Finally, she took Scott’s hand and led him over to the tiny woman sitting near a large stone fireplace. Glancing up at her fake fiancé, Zanaa painted on another smile. “Scott, I’d like you to meet Madea.”
*
Scott stared down at the small woman, sitting in the massive chair that practically swallowed her. She had the gentlest brown eyes and a girlish grin on her round mocha face. “Mrs. Reynolds, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your granddaughter has told me so much about you.” He finally meet you. Your granddaughter has told me so much about you.” He took her small proffered hand and pressed his lips to her cool skin.
Her eyes widened. “Wow, a charmer, aren’t you? Please, call me Madea. You don’t want to insult an old lady.”
He chuckled. “No, I definitely don’t want to do that.”
Madea glanced up at her granddaughter. “Zanaa, why don’t you go and help your mother get dinner on the table while Scott and I have a chance to get to know each other.”
Scott didn’t miss the look of panic in Zanaa’s eyes. He placed a hand to her lower back. “Go ahead, sweetheart. I’ll be fine,” he replied reassuringly.
Zanaa hesitated a few seconds before she finally nodded. “Madea, behave,” she warned playfully before she leaned in and planted a kiss to her wrinkled cheek. Scott watched as she walked away and joined her sisters at the other side of the room. Her sensual movement made his pulse jump. Zanaa had a provocative walk, a delightful sway of her lush hips that captivated his attention.
“Have a seat, young man,” Madea insisted, drawing his attention.
She looked clearly amused and Scott had no doubt she saw the direction of his eyes.
Scott lowered onto the high back burgundy arm chair across from her and leaned forward. Already he liked her. She reminded him so much of his grandmother, who had passed away two years ago.
“I hope you want children.”
His eyebrow quirked. Children. Goodness, where did that question come from? “Yes, Ma’am. Some day.”
She smiled, appearing pleased by his answer. “Good. Every woman wants a child of her own.”
He allowed himself to imagine Zanaa pregnant, her belly large with his child growing inside. The feeling caused a stirring down at his loins. He wasn’t sure why he allowed the thought to even enter his mind.
He wasn’t interested in marriage and having babies. His life was perfect just the way it was.
“Do you love my granddaughter?” Madea asked, breaking into his thoughts.
his thoughts.
Talk about not beating around the bush. Scott took a deep, calming breath. If someone had asked him that a couple of weeks ago, the answer would have been an immediate no, but now that they had spent time together, made love, he was feeling a lot of things he’d never expected to feel for just one woman. Somehow, in a very short time, Zanaa had become quite special to him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but even from the beginning there was an attraction that exploded between them. At first he thought it was impossible. Only, it had happened and still occurred every time they were together. Just watching her moving around the other side of the room, made his loins hot and hard. He didn’t want to stop looking at her. He longed to hold her in his arms and make love to her again. Thank goodness he was already sitting down. The last thing he wanted was for Madea to see the affect Zanaa had over his body.
Madea waved a dainty hand airily. “You don’t have to answer. I can see it in your eyes. Did anyone ever tell you that you can see a person’s soul through their eyes?”
“No, Ma’am, they haven’t,” he replied solemnly.
Smiling, she reached over and patted his hand. “You’re a good boy. I think you’ll make a fabulous addition to our family. Now tell me about yourself.”
Scott grinned. Now that was something he didn’t mind talking about.
*
Zanaa kept glancing nervously into the other room. What in the world are they talking about? A half hour had past and Scott was still sitting with Madea. The smile on his lips said he was enjoying whatever it was her grandmother was talking about.
“Zanaa, come over here and chop these eggs for the salad.”
She swung around to her mother who was standing in front of the stove with a hand propped at her hip. “Where’s Nellie?” She had been their housekeeper for almost two decades.
Her mother’s eyes narrowed with concern. “Dear, you know we give her every Christmas holiday off. It’s probably the only time I get to give her every Christmas holiday off. It’s probably the only time I get to use my own kitchen. Don’t you remember?”
“Sorry, I don’t know where my mind is today,” Zanaa mumbled as she moved to the sink and washed her hands. She loved the massive state-of-the-art kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. She dried her hands then took a seat in front of the massive island at the center of the room and started chopping boiled eggs.
“Relax. I don’t know what you’re so nervous about. Madea’s just trying to get to know your fiancé.”
Yep and that’s the problem. Madea was likely to ask Scott something he was going to be unable to answer.
Her mother looked up from her roast and smiled. “Scott seems like a wonderful young man.”
Yes, he does. “Thanks, Mother.”
“Who seems like a wonderful man?”
Zanaa’s eyes snapped to the door leading from the garage where her father stepped into the kitchen, looking handsome in black slacks, a shirt and tie. He had turned sixty on this last birthday and only his gleaming silver close-cropped hair hinted at his age. But he was f
ar from retirement. Bradley Reynolds owned the most successful Mercedes dealership in the state of Virginia. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hello, pumpkin,” he greeted in a deep powerful voice. Zanaa moved forward and found herself cradled against his chest. Dipping his head, her father planted a kiss to her forehead. “Welcome home.” He gave her a tight squeeze then released her. Moving over to his wife, he captured her in his arms, giving her a passionate kiss. Zanaa wasn’t at all surprised by their open affection because the couple had always been that way. Her parents married almost forty years ago and were still very much in love.
“Brad, Zanaa’s beau is in the other room with Madea,” Mother announced cheerfully as he released her.
For a moment, he studied his daughter thoughtfully. “I hope this man is good to you.” His hazel eyes were smiling, but Zanaa couldn’t help but notice there was a glimmer of worry there, too.
She forced a smile onto her face and said, “Yes, Daddy, Scott’s real good to me. In more ways than you could ever imagine.
good to me. In more ways than you could ever imagine.
Barbara materialized holding a flute of champagne, her shoulder length curls bouncing with every step. “You need any help in here?” she asked then moved over and kissed her father’s upturned cheek.
Mother pointed a beautifully manicured fingernail at a pot of boiled corn. “Yes, you can butter those ears and place them on a platter.”
Nodding, Barbara moved toward the sink. “Zanaa, Scott is adorable,” the lanky beauty said then swallowed the last in her glass.
“Yes, he is,” Zanaa replied under her breath. So adorable he was becoming hard to resist. She tried to remind herself she needed to keep from getting more entangled with Scott. Once the holidays were over, she would have no room for him in her life. Yet ever moment she spent with him was going to make saying goodbye more difficult, especially now after making love. You can do this. You can do this. As she finished the salad she repeated the phrase in her head. Hopefully if she kept reminding herself she wouldn’t be in jeopardy of forgetting. However, deep down she was starting to think that it was already too late.
Chapter Eleven
“I don’t think your dad likes me,” Scott commented as they climbed the spiral staircase, carrying their suitcases. It was shortly before midnight and they were retiring at the west wing of the house.
Glancing over her shoulder, Zanaa smiled with amusement. “Sure he does. He just has his own way of showing it.”
“Yeah right,” Scott said and chuckled. “When your mother told him I was sharing your room, he looked like he wanted to bite my head off.”
“Trust me, you’ll act the same way whenever you have daughters of your own,” she replied with a soft giggle.
Scott actually had a great deal of respect for the man. He admired the way he had raised his three daughters and managed the family.
Following dinner, the Reynolds family had a tradition of going downtown to sing Christmas carols at Town Square. The entire town came out for the warm holiday celebration. Afterwards, they visited a homeless shelter and handed out gifts to the women and children.
In all his years of donating to charitable organizations, Scott never experienced the overwhelming emotion he felt, watching the children’s reactions when receiving a single gift. One little girl had tears in her eyes as she cradled the new doll as if it were the most precious thing in the world. The experience reminded Scott just how fortunate he truly was. He had spent so many years living carefree without a worry in the world when those kids were lucky to have received one present for Christmas. It was probably the most humbling experience of his life.
At nine, the family returned to the house, drank spiked eggnog and told stories about each other’s childhood. Scott adored her family.
They were delightful, friendly, and went out of their way to make sure he felt as if he belonged.
felt as if he belonged.
Zanaa stopped at the last door on the right, turned the knob, and entered. When Scott stepped through the threshold, he whistled. “Wow.
This is your room?” He glanced around the spacious room of rich mahogany wood furniture. A large poster bed was sitting at the center of the space. On the floor was a large Persian rug and heavy wine fabrics draped the large windows. There was even a roaring fire in the corner.
“Yep, it’s mine whenever I’m home. Actually this room used to be decorated with Barbie.” She laughed with fond memories as she closed the bedroom door behind them.
Scott carried their suitcases across the room and placed them in the corner near a long closet door. “I could just see you playing with Barbie dolls. You and your sisters seem quite close.”
Zanaa removed her boots and padded around the room. “We are.
We disagree like all sisters do but we love each other.” She turned and met his eyes. “They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but not as beautiful as you. I like my women with a little meat on their bones.” Although Paulette and Barbara were lovely, they didn’t come close in comparison. Her sisters were small and delicate where as Zanaa had curves in all the right places.
Her eyes widened. “Are you calling me fat?”
“Yep, but not the way you spell it,” he replied and winked.
Smiling, her eyes roamed over him appreciatively. “Thanks. By the way, our bathroom is through there.” She pointed to a door on the far right.
“What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?” Scott asked while removing a pair of nu-buck suede Timberland boots from his feet.
While she talked, Zanaa moved over to the bed, removed the bedspread then folded it. “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We always help one of the local churches pass out Christmas baskets, everything from a turkey to all the trimmings. Then there is a sleigh ride through town before dinner. After that, it’s more Christmas carols and hot chocolate.”
“How long has your family been giving back to the community?”
She looked up and smiled. “As long as I can remember. Grandpa raised us to appreciate everything we have and to never take anything for raised us to appreciate everything we have and to never take anything for granted.”
“He sounds a lot like my father.”
She smiled again. “I like him already.”
Scott had no doubt in his mind his father would like Zanaa as well. Of course they would never meet. Unless his father happened to be in Wilmington and dropped by his condo. But for some weird reason, he couldn’t shake, that wasn’t the image in his mind. Scott saw Zanaa sitting around the table with him and his parents, sharing a meal. Why was he even thinking about that? Nothing has changed, he tried to tell himself. Their relationship was over on Sunday.
“I think next year my family and I need to step it up a little bit more,” he finally said, pushing the image aside.
Zanaa retrieved an elastic band from her purse, and pulled her hair back as she spoke. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It’s one of those rare moments when we stop everything we’re doing and come together as a family. It’s a tradition my grandfather started that my sisters and I are committed to continuing with our own families.”
Out of nowhere, Scott felt a hint of jealousy at the thought of her falling in love with some other man, bearing his children, and sharing her family traditions with him. Why in the world would he feel like that? It was ridiculous and he knew it, especially since he had no intentions of falling in love and starting a family. Yet even knowing that didn’t make him feel any better.
“Scott, did you hear what I said?”
Blinking, he focused his attention on Zanaa and when he did, his mouth went dry. She had stripped off her clothes and was standing at the end of the bed in lacy red panties and a matching bra that left very little to his imagination. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something.”
She gave him a weird look. “I was saying, you were a hit with my family, especially with Madea.”
Scott closed the dist
ance between them then reached out, and gently pressed his hand to her waist, urging her even closer as the electricity between them snap, crackled, and popped. “At least she likes me.”
me.”
Tilting her head, Zanaa stared up at him. “Madea adores you.” She insisted that Scott sat to her left during dinner. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her that happy. Thank goodness. You saved me from a weekend of desperate single men.”
“I’m glad I could be of service,” he whispered as he leaned down and showered kisses along her throat.
“I appreciate it. I think my family truly believes we’re in love,”
she replied in a shaking voice.
Love? A shiver snaked down his spine. That was one word he never thought about when he was involved with a female. So why was his heart pounded so heavily against his chest? He put the ridiculous thought out of his mind and returned his attention to the woman before him. “You are so beautiful.” He allowed his hands to travel freely down her back then around to the front and cupped her breasts. “All day I’ve been thinking about making love to you.”
“You have?” Zanaa gave a nervous laugh. “I think that complicates things.”
Pulling back slightly, he gazed deep into her eyes, trying to read her expression. “Do you regret what happened between us the other night?”
Zanaa hesitated. “No, but I think making love was a mistake and it shouldn’t happen again.” She stepped away from his grasp then moved over to a large armoire and opened it. He watched the sway of her enticing hips in a pair of sexy panties that barely covered her ass. “Now which do you want, the bed or the chaise?” she asked as she reached inside for an extra blanket.
“I plan on sleeping in the bed…with you.”
She swung around just as Scott closed the distance between them.
The blanket fell from her hands and he saw the quick intake of breath as he wrapped his arms around her waist then dropped his mouth to hers. “All day I’ve thought about taking you in a corner, lifting your skirt and sliding my dick inside you,” he whispered against her mouth. Even now he was hot and aroused. Her feminine aroma teased his nostrils and made his stomach quiver. “For the duration of this trip, I want you to give in to stomach quiver. “For the duration of this trip, I want you to give in to everything you’re feeling because I’m not going to lie to you…now that I’ve tasted you…had a chance to be buried deep inside of you…I want more.” He skimmed the sides of her breasts with his hands. “I can’t get enough of you.”
In Her Neighbor's Bed (The Beaumont Series) Page 10