“So you got pregnant trying to save your marriage.” It was statement not a question. Zanaa knew about men like him. She just never expected Cole to be one of them.
“Yes, I got pregnant on purpose,” she admitted. “Only it gave him the excuse to finally end out marriage. He isn’t interested in being a father.
Never has been. When I refused to have an abortion, he asked me for a divorce.”
Stunned, Zanaa shook her head. She had no idea. Did Cole and I ever discuss having children? She couldn’t remember and had a sinking feeling discuss having children? She couldn’t remember and had a sinking feeling they hadn’t even though he knew she dreamed of having a family some day. All those years she had thought herself in love with Cole, but when she saw him tonight she found herself wondering what she had ever saw in him.
During dinner, she witnessed the lust in his eyes as he stared across the table at her with cocky confidence. It was almost as if he thought she would be stupid enough to still be interested in him. Thank goodness Scott had been there to show him she had finally moved on with her life.
To think of all the years she had spent wishing things were different and wondering if she hadn’t put a career ahead of their relationship, would they have gotten married? Now she knew that no matter what she had done, it wouldn’t have mattered. Cole would never have been faithful to her. How come she never realized that before? Just the fact he had gotten involved with her cousin should have been proof of that.
“I’m sorry,” Zanaa finally said and she really meant it. Even though Monica had done her dirty, she would never have wished bad on anybody, including her.
Monica brushed tears from her eyes. “I always envied you, Zanaa.
You’re strong and independent and have always known what you wanted, whereas I was always insecure and needy and let men use me. All I wanted was to be like you.” She forced a smile and continued. “Whatever you had, I wanted, including Cole. I loved him and when he showed an interest in me, I was so excited because I finally felt like my life was going to be like yours. But the last three years were far from picture perfect. I just wanted everyone to think it was.” She broke down and started sobbing heavily.
Zanaa rushed to her side and draped an arm around her. “Zanaa, I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Of course I can,” she replied then started crying with her, relieved she could finally close that chapter in her life and move on. She had wasted enough years being angry and feeling vindictive.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I was wrong and I know that now,” Monica sniffled.
Zanaa squeezed her as close as she could maneuver around her protruding belly. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. We’re family and we protruding belly. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. We’re family and we shouldn’t have let it go on this long. You were always my favorite cousin.”
Monica pulled back and met her gaze, eyes wide with surprise.
“And you were mine. You still are. No man should ever come between cousins.”
Zanaa grinned. “I agree.” They hugged again and Monica started laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m pregnant by a man who doesn’t want me and I know absolutely nothing about raising a child. It’s either I laugh, otherwise I’m going to cry myself sick.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” Zanaa replied as she released her.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be a wonderful mother. I remember the way you used to cherish your baby dolls, while me, I used to bath mine in the toilet.”
Chuckling, Monica wiped the tears from her eyes. “I remember the time you flushed the toilet, her head got stuck and the bathroom flooded.”
“Ooh! I forgot about that. I think that was probably the first time I ever got a spanking. Daddy was mad,” she said with a laughing.
The two was still reminiscing on the good old days when Barbara and Paulette stepped into the kitchen. “It looks like the two of you finally made up,” Paulette comment with an innocent smile.
“Yeah, like the two of you didn’t know what was going on in here,” Zanaa said with a playful roll of the eyes.
Barbara giggled, the dimples clearly defined at both cheeks. “We may have had something to do with that.” She moved beside her and her face sobered. “Seriously sister, Paulette and I thought it was time the two of you talked.”
“And I truly appreciate it,” Monica replied as she mopped at her eyes. “Damn. Ever since I’ve gotten pregnant, all I do is cry.”
“Awww, you big baby!” Paulette cooed then came around and gave Monica hug. Barbara embraced her from the other side. “Come on, Zanaa, join in.”
Smiling, she moved over to the trio and swung her arms around her sisters’ shoulders and stared around the circle then stopped when her eyes landed on Monica. She didn’t miss the pain or the look of remorse.
eyes landed on Monica. She didn’t miss the pain or the look of remorse.
For the first time in years, she actually felt sorry for her. “Everything’s going to work out Monica. You’ll see.”
“I sure hope so,” she replied with a hint of uncertainty.
The women cleaned up the kitchen while chatting nonstop about baby names. Zanaa’s mind wandered back to Scott. She wondered if he wanted children. Frowning, she found the question ridiculous. He wasn’t even interested in a commitment so she was certain children were the last thing on his mind. Besides, once they left Virginia her engagement would be over, and so was their relationship.
*
Zanaa stepped into the room and found it dark. Something in the corner moved, startling her. A scream gathered in her throat, and just as she prepared to grab one of the Tiffany lamps and send it flying, the form took a recognizable shape. She raised a hand to her chest. “Scott? You scared me! I thought you went to play pool with Jonathan and Bernard.”
He reached for the matching lamp and turned it on then lowered his hand to the arm of the chair. One leg was propped up on his other knee.
He was wearing dark slacks that were unfastened at the waist. The shirt he had worn to dinner was unbuttoned, revealing a delicious glimpse of his bare chest. He regarded her with an arched eyebrow. “We’ve been back for almost an hour,” he began. “I thought maybe you got lost and I was going to have to come looking for you.”
“Why in the world are you sitting in here with the lights off?” she asked with a hand at her hip.
“I thought maybe lover boy might try to slip in here.”
Cupping her mouth, Zanaa giggled. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s gone. Besides, there’s absolutely nothing Cole could possibly say to me.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Then you probably need to tell him that because the way Cole was looking at you during dinner, he wants to continue where the two of you left off.”
She nibbled her bottom lip nervously. She wondered if Scott had seen the way Cole had been looking at her. “I think the two of us were quite convincing tonight. After talking to Monica, I think the only reason quite convincing tonight. After talking to Monica, I think the only reason why Cole even came this evening was to see if I still had a thing for him.
I’m glad he now knows I don’t.”
Scott rose. “I hope so. After all you’re supposed to be my fiancée. I can’t be having him disrespecting me,” he added with a grin.
Zanaa couldn’t resist one of her own. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” He moved toward her and Zanaa felt her heart begin to race. “I’ll admit, I was jealous tonight, watching the way he was looking at you. You’re beautiful. You know that?”
She gazed up into his eyes and knew he was serious. She never expected the emotion from Scott and didn’t know how to respond. He stopped in front of her, his eyes dark beneath the dim light, his masculine scent beckoning her. She was dying to be in his arms, lying on her back with him exploring and tasting every corner of her body. All he had to do was sweep her up into his arms and carry her
over to the large poster bed.
“What’s going through your mind?” he asked, reaching up to caress her face.
“Nothing,” she denied.
Scott wasn’t buying her excuse. “I know you better than that. You have a way of nibbling on your bottom lip when something is on your mind.”
She smirked. “You think you know me.”
“I know enough to know I like what I see,” he said with calm assurance.
Zanaa reached out and boldly pulled him against her. “Really?”
She tipped her head back and gazed up at him, feeling his arousal against her stomach.
“Absolutely.” He slipped off her shirt and tossed it onto a chair then covered her mouth with his. His kiss was deep, wonderful, and demanding, driving away every single rational thought out the window.
Scott cupped her breast through her lacy bra and she felt the heat beneath the thin material and moaned. “You like that?” he asked as a thumb slipped beneath the material.
“I like that.” She inhaled with pleasure.
Scott’s fingers slid to the clasp of her bra, unfastened the hooks Scott’s fingers slid to the clasp of her bra, unfastened the hooks and tossed it away. He brought both hands to her breasts, his fingers stroking her nipples before leaning forward to use his mouth.
“Scott,” Zanaa whispered, holding on to him, not wanting anything to stand in the way of this moment happening. Frantically, she reached for his belt and loosened it, then his zipper and released it. Next was his shirt. Panting, she needed to feel his bare skin pressed against her.
“Please, I want you inside me now,” she begged.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he growled.
Zanaa didn’t remember much after that. Their clothes were off and protection was snuggly on and then Scott moved onto the bed and slid deep inside her body. She gasped and cried out his name and held on for the joyous ride. Scott plunged into her body again and again until she cried out with satisfaction and climaxed. He cried out at the same time, releasing inside her with two last pumps.
Scott collapsed and showered her with kisses. Shifting on the bed, she twisted so she could look at him as he drifted off to sleep and sighed with despair. Ending the relationship was not going to be easy.
Chapter Thirteen
Zanaa had a feeling someone was watching her. Blinking, she slowly raised one eyelid and then the other, and found Scott grinning on the bed beside her.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
Smiling, she stretched her arms high above her head while she released a loud yawn. “Good morning. What time is it?”
“Almost eight o’clock. I’ve been up for awhile. Your mom sent up coffee and a quick bite to eat.” He pointed to the mugs and the large platter with seasonal fruits and cheese Danishes on the nightstand beside them.
“Thanks.” Zanaa repositioned her pillow and sat upright on the bed. “The family brunch isn’t until ten.”
“Hold on. Before you eat, I have something for you.” Scott reached underneath the bed and pulled out a white box beautifully decorated with a gold bow. “Merry Christmas.”
Zanaa’s eyes traveled from him down to the box and back again.
“Oh Scott!” she exclaimed. “You didn’t have to buy me anything. I couldn’t begin to thank you for all your help. This has been the first time, in a long time, I’ve been able to enjoy my family without a bunch of desperate men, parading through the house.”
He shrugged. “I’m glad I could be here for you, but it is Christmas and I couldn’t come here empty handed. Go ahead and open it. It’s just something I saw that I thought would look wonderful on you.”
“Okay,” Zanaa said obligingly while trying to hold back her excitement. She was just like a kid. She absolutely loved getting presents.
She opened the box and when she looked inside, she gasped. “Scott! It’s beautiful.” She held up a soft pink cashmere sweater. “How did you know I love cashmere?”
“I see you every day. I know what you like,” he teased and slid “I see you every day. I know what you like,” he teased and slid closer on the bed.
“You don’t know me,” she challenged.
“I know you better than you think.” He gazed down at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “I know my sitting here beside you has your heart beating just a tad bit faster, doesn’t it? Don’t try to deny it because I can see the pulse throbbing at your throat. You want me to kiss you, feel you, taste you again,” he whispered.
Zanaa’s insides quivered and she couldn’t deny it. She wanted him to make love to her. Her body craved him. If she kept it up, Scott was going to become an addiction.
He swooped in, kissed her, and she moaned and participated. But before things could get out of control, she pushed gently against his chest.
“Wait, wait,” she giggled. “I have something for you, too.” Zanaa slipped out from under the sheets and moved over to her suitcase and reached inside the front pocket. “Here, for you.”
Grinning, Scott took the box and tore off the wrapping paper. He reached inside and removed music CDs by artists such as Trey Songs, Usher, Monica, and more. “How did you know I needed some new music?”
“I figured if you’re going to have your music blasting through the walls, at least let it be something I enjoy listening to,” she teased.
Scott filled the room with a hearty chuckle and she grinned, loving the sound and the way his beautiful eyes lit up. “Thank you, sweetheart,” Scott said then in one swoop scooped her up into his strong arms.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked between giggles as he carried her into the bathroom.
“We’re taking a shower…together.”
Scott settled Zanaa onto her feet in a large black marble bathroom with a huge shower, double sinks, and a round, jetted tub.
As she watched Scott remove his clothes, her brow rose. “You sure we should be showering together?”
“Absolutely,” he replied then reached over and turned on the water. “Unless you have a problem with it?”
With him standing in front her, she felt the evidence of his arousal With him standing in front her, she felt the evidence of his arousal pulsing against her and felt her own body throb in response. Her gaze roamed down the length of him, stopping to admire his large erection.
“No, not at all.”
Scott grinned wickedly. “Good because I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He waited until she stepped into the glass-encased shower before he followed and closed the door.
Reaching for the bar of soap, Zanaa rubbed it in her hands until it lathered then slid it across his chest. “Now that you’ve got me here, what do you plan to do?” she whispered, her voice fading. She rubbed passed his navel and when she reached his groin, Scott grabbed her hand.
“Don’t,” he hissed.
“Why not?” she giggled then slipped an arm around Scott’s neck and stood on her tiptoe to kiss him.
His hand gripped her waist and he held her tightly as he hissed, “You know why.”
*
Urgency tore at him. Scott wanted Zanaa with desperation. After making love into the wee hours of the morning, he should have had his fill of her. But what he felt was the complete opposite. Need engulfed him, stronger than ever. He cupped her chin with his hand and stared down at her round face. Zanaa was beautiful with smooth skin, large golden eyes and that mass of brown hair that caressed her shoulders.
“Zanaa, you are beautiful. Lovelier than any woman I have ever encountered. Cole was a fool. Don’t ever think for a moment you’re second best because, sweetheart, you’re in a class of your own.” He took the soap from her hand and smoothed it slowly across her nipples. Zanaa arched her back and cried out his name. Her responses to his touch set his body on fire. He soaped her slowly, his hands gliding over her while her every gasp heightened his need. “Turn around.”
Zanaa did as instructed. His dick stroked her bare bottom a
nd his hands played over her breasts. The next few minutes they rinsed, touched, and rubbed each other until he couldn’t wait a minute longer.
Scott lifted Zanaa off her feet. “Wrap your legs around me.”
Scott lifted Zanaa off her feet. “Wrap your legs around me.”
She locked her hands behind his neck and wrapped long legs around his hips. Scott spread his legs to brace himself, then lowered her body slowly onto his erection. He sighed with pleasure the second he felt her warm flesh surrounding him.
“Ohhh,” she moaned near his ear, driving him to deepen his thrusts.
“You like the way I make you feel,” he whispered. “I want you to come for me, baby,” he added then kissed her. Scott pumped again and again into her softness, until he reached the point of no return. He shook with satisfaction and Zanaa cried out with pleasure at the same time.
Completely spent, Scott sagged back against the wall of the shower and as his pulse slowed, he let Zanaa down to her feet. He stepped back under the direct spray of the water taking her with him and they showered again, soaping each other. He dipped his head toward her eager mouth and kissed her thoroughly. Within minutes, he had grown hard again. Scott smiled and couldn’t think of a better way to start the morning.
*
After brunch they spent a long afternoon driving thirty minutes to Richmond where they visited the historic tobacco district. Scott then insisted on shopping for presents for her parents and Madea. They returned home in time to share a Christmas dinner that included everything from a fried turkey—compliments of her brother-in-law Bernard—to Madea’s homemade sweet potato pies. Zanaa was so full she didn’t think she could eat again for a week.
“What are you doing?” Zanaa asked her nephew Kyle as she strolled into the family’s home theatre, sipping a glass of eggnog.
In Her Neighbor's Bed (The Beaumont Series) Page 12