Everyone in the room stared in awe as they glided on the dance floor together. Malcolm had one hand wrapped around Cilla’s waist, the other holding tight to her hand as it rested against his shoulder. Her eyes were closed as she leaned her head against his chest, the intense depths of their connection undeniable.
Romeo pulled Taryn closer against him, leaning to kiss the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around him. Cleo and Claudia sat beside their grandmothers, the matriarchs both lost in memory, thinking about the men they’d loved who had loved them back. Odetta stood off to the side, swiping at a tear that had fallen from her eyes. Her wide grin was a resplendent display of snow-white teeth. And the piano player danced with them, his hands racing across the black and white keys, the song a seductive melding of whole and half notes.
An hour later the couple stood with the twins as a photographer snapped photo after photo. When she saw an opportunity Bianca gestured for her friend’s attention. Cilla kissed Malcolm’s cheek as she excused herself, moving to the other woman’s side. Bianca wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her warmly.
“I’m so happy for you!” she exclaimed, tears misting her eyes. “And I’m so glad you didn’t elope.”
Cilla smiled. “So we do this for you next month, right?”
Bianca grinned. She tilted her head toward her fiancé, Ethan Christmas, staring at her from the other side of the room. “He says I’m the most beautiful maid of honor he’s ever seen!”
“He’s a good liar,” Cilla said. “You’re going to want to keep him.”
The two women laughed.
The twins suddenly rushed to their sides.
“Aunt Bianca, are you going to dance with us?” Claudia questioned, pulling on the woman’s arm.
“Please?” Cleo chimed.
Bianca tossed Cilla a look. Aunt? she mouthed, her eyes wide.
Cilla laughed heartily. “Yes, your Aunt Bianca would love to dance with you!”
As the trio skipped their way to the dance floor Malcolm eased behind her, gliding his arms around her waist. He pulled her close, nuzzling his face against her neck.
“I love you, Mrs. Cobb,” he said as he spun her around in his arms.
Cilla smiled. “Mrs. Cobb. I really like the way that sounds.”
The man grinned. “Not nearly as much as I do, I’m sure.” He kissed her lips. “It has to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I love you, too,” she whispered against his mouth, the words blowing warm breath past his lips.
The sun was just beginning to rise on a new day. Malcolm opened his eyes as the first glint of the morning rays peeked through the window blinds. For just a quick second confusion washed over his face, his surroundings unfamiliar, and then he remembered where he was. He and Cilla had spent the night at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel. It was the prelude to their honeymoon, time away before the whole family set sail on a cruise to the islands of Bermuda.
He smiled, nuzzling his body closer to hers. He rolled himself above her, supporting his weight against his arms. Cilla was still sound asleep and he lifted his torso up to stare down at her. He studied her face, amazed at how her long, dark lashes fluttered gently. He imagined she was dreaming and he wondered what decadent thoughts were tripping through her sleep. Hours earlier he’d gotten himself lost in her dark, lusty gaze and he knew that once she opened her eyes again, he’d fall headfirst back into the depths of her stare.
Malcolm raised his hand to her face, gently caressing the line of her profile. He cradled her cheek in the palm of his hand, allowing his thumb to lightly graze her flesh. She exhaled softly, muttering ever so slightly. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to her forehead in the gentlest kiss. He inhaled deeply, her sweet scent teasing his nose. It was intoxicating and he felt drunk with desire as he inhaled her again and again. He trailed his lips to her cheek and along her jawline, leaving a path of damp kisses against soft skin.
Malcolm kissed his way past her earlobe and down her neck, his lips parting and his tongue peeked forward to taste her skin. He swirled his tongue in circles and she trembled, sleep beginning to slowly leave her behind. She tilted her head as he hit that sweet spot beneath her chin, applying just the hint of pressure to her flesh. Cilla suddenly purred, the low murmur moving him to harden beneath the bedsheets.
His hands and mouth danced atop her skin until she began to thrust her hips up to meet his. She wanted him and he loved that he could elicit such a response from her. Her eyes fluttered open and then closed, then open again. He smiled down at her as she focused her gaze up at him. Malcolm could feel himself falling deeper in love with her as his reflection swirled in the depths of her dark stare.
She smiled, wishing him a good morning without uttering a word. Her hands snaked around his broad back and she pulled him to her, wanting to feel the weight of him against her. He pressed his mouth to hers and sighed as he hugged her closer.
His hands danced across her flesh, performing a ritual of their own design. His fingers kneaded one breast and then the other, the tips heated and teasing. His touch was indulgent, fulfilling every one of Cilla’s dreams.
She parted her legs, wrapping them tightly around him. His body slid into hers easily, the connection as sweet as their very first kiss. He felt every muscle in his body tense and convulse with pleasure, unable to contain the excitement that raged through him. The moment was magical and Malcolm could see himself starting each new day like they were starting this new day.
He loved her. He loved her with every sinew and fiber of his being. He loved her like it was the first time he had ever loved anyone, holding on as if he never intended to ever let her go. His possessive touch marked her, claiming every inch of her for himself and she went willingly, following as he led her to sensual heights like she’d never known before.
Pleasure swept like a tidal wave between them. Malcolm craved more and more of her as he stroked her over and over again. And then he orgasmed, Cilla falling with him off the edge of the cliff at the same time. She clung to him, every dip and curve of her body meeting his evenly. Sweat washed over them both, moisture seeping from every pore. The moment was explosive beyond measure, him knowing that he was making love to his wife made all the difference in the world.
Cilla sat alone, lost deep in thought. It was officially fall, the changing weather beginning to take hold. The last of the Indian summer they’d been experiencing seemed to have come and gone. Earlier that morning she’d had to search her moving boxes for sweaters, maneuvering through the mess that sat in the home’s spare bedroom. Both Malcolm and his mother had been bending over backward to help her assimilate her things in with theirs and Cilla imagined the task was not nearly as easy as they seemed to make it.
It had only been a few weeks since they’d come back from their family honeymoon, the girls still talking about their Bermuda getaway. Sharing a cabin with their grandmother, both had been ecstatic to roam the ship freely, spending much of their time in the vessel’s teen center. During the day they’d been able to swim, rock climb, and play basketball with other like-minded young people. At night there had been the teen nightclub where both had danced until they were exhausted. Exploring the island had been one adventure after another and by their last day docked in the port at Hamilton, both had declared the island their favorite place in the whole wide world.
Cilla and Malcolm had agreed. The blue skies, pink sand beaches, and warm ocean waters had been a dream come true. From start to finish the experience had been nirvana, both feeling like they’d been dropped into their own personal Garden of Eden. Even those moments when the twins had interrupted their private time together had been glorious, both grateful that their little family was well and happy.
Now they were back to reality, negotiating school and work, schedules, homework, and a list of to do’s a mile long. And Cilla was trying to balance moving from her townhome into her new
home, still up in the air about whether or not she was going to rent or sell her old space. She blew a heavy sigh, taking a quick glance to the watch on her wrist.
Her cell phone ringing was unexpected. The girls were in school. She had already spoken to Malcolm and Bianca, and Mama Claudette was taking an impromptu nap in her room. She recognized the Baltimore area code but not the number.
“Hello?”
“Cilla? Hello, it’s Maxine Perry.”
“Miss Maxine, how are you?” Surprise registered in Cilla’s tone.
“I’m good. How about yourself? How’s married life treating you?”
Cilla laughed. “It’s treating me well. I couldn’t imagine being happier.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And my granddaughters? How are they doing?”
“Always a challenge! Cleo just earned her orange belt in karate and Claudia will be dancing the lead in this year’s Nutcracker performance. So they’re keeping us running. But grades are good, both are full of energy and they like to keep their father on his toes.”
“I’m so proud of them and you have been such a blessing to them both. You’ve also made Malcolm extremely happy. He deserved that more than you know.”
“Well, I appreciate you saying so.”
“I guess you’re wondering why I’m calling,” Miss Maxine said, dismissing with the small talk.
Cilla didn’t bother to reply, instead waiting for the woman to continue.
“My daughter was transferred to the federal prison last week. She asked me to call you to ask if you would come see her and I promised her I would.”
The woman’s request came as a complete surprise. Cilla found herself suddenly contemplating her options. “I . . . I don’t . . . why?”
“I asked the same question and she really didn’t say. But I don’t think her intentions are malicious. If I had any concerns I wouldn’t have called and asked. I wouldn’t have done that to you and Malcolm.”
Cilla paused, thinking about the request. Her mind was racing as she pondered the possibilities. She nodded into the receiver. “I can do that,” she said finally. “I can hear her out.”
Miss Maxine blew a grateful sigh. “I’ll have her attorney call you with the details. It was good to talk to you, Cilla.”
“You, too, Miss Maxine.”
“And, thank you,” the older woman said before disconnecting the call. “Thank you for everything. You’ll never know how much you mean to me.”
“Why are you doing this?” Malcolm asked as Cilla tossed clothes into a suitcase, preparing for the two-day trip to the federal prison in Cumberland, Maryland, where Shanell had been incarcerated. “What are you trying to accomplish?”
Cilla dropped down onto the bed beside him. “I don’t know. I just know that she asked and her mother wanted it too. I don’t think it can hurt.”
“I don’t appreciate Maxine doing that and I plan to tell her so. You don’t need to deal with Shanell’s craziness. None of us do. I’m doing whatever I need to do to insure she never gets near the girls ever again. I don’t think you should go.”
“You’re still angry. And I understand it but that doesn’t make it right, Malcolm.”
He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. “You’re too nice. I can’t afford to be nice.”
“It’s not about being nice. It’s about doing whatever needs to be done in the best interest of the girls. They haven’t stopped loving their mother and they aren’t still mad at her. They know she’s sick and they want to see her well, whether you like it or not.”
“Well, I don’t like it and I’m asking you not to go.”
She met his stare, holding the look he was giving her. “Please, don’t do that. Don’t give me an ultimatum.”
“I’m not. I’m point blank asking you not to go see my ex-wife.”
“Fine, and I hear you, but I am going to go see Cleo and Claudia’s mother.”
Shaking his head, Malcolm moved onto his feet. Not saying another word he exited the room, his footsteps fading off into the distance as he moved through the hallway and down the stairs. Cilla blew a low sigh. She was learning that Malcolm could be exceptionally sensitive about some things and with everything that had happened he was particularly sensitive when it came to Shanell.
He would pout for days, barely having two words to say to her and then the apology would come and the discussion they should have had from jump. Cilla could tell that this time he’d be angry until well after she returned, when he was certain that Shanell’s actions couldn’t blow anything else up in their lives.
She continued to toss her belongings into a carry-on bag, uncertain whether to pack for warm weather or cold. She and the girls had already had a conversation about her trip, Cleo and Claudia excited to have her pass on letters and drawings to their mother. Both had much to say and she appreciated the level of maturity they were showing. She only wished Malcolm would take some pointers from his offspring.
By the time Cilla found her way back downstairs, Malcolm was gone, he and the girls going for ice cream. Frustration creased her brow, unable to fathom what she needed to do or say to move him past his stubbornness. She caught a quick glimpse of Mama Claudette out in the backyard and she exited the door, seeking out the old woman for advice.
The sun was beginning its descent in the early evening sky. Mama Claudette was enjoying the last remnants of sunlight as she worked the gardens in the backyard. Cilla took a deep breath as she admired the matriarch’s handiwork. She’d carved gardens out of the raw land, laying lines of growing color like a painter laying lines of paint against a blank canvas. Ivy crept up and over foundations of rock, trumpeting loudly against the base of fallen trees. She’d blown life in shades of green against a backdrop of dry dirt and blue sky and it was a blessing beneath Cilla’s feet as she walked in the woman’s direction.
On her knees Mama Claudette was pulling weeds from around the flower beds. With the changing weather she was beginning to prepare her plants for the cold weather that was sure to come.
“Mama Claudette, your gardens are so beautiful!”
“Thank you, baby,” she responded as she stood upright, a hand falling against her plump hip. “Is everything okay?”
Cilla shook her head. “Malcolm’s upset with me. He doesn’t want me to go to Maryland to talk to Shanell.”
Her mother-in-law nodded her head. “So what are you going to do?”
“I have to go. I think I need to hear her out. For Cleo and Claudia’s sake if for no other reason.”
“Then you should go. Malcolm will get over it.”
“But I hate it when there’s tension between us. He closes himself off and shuts me out. It’s not a good feeling.”
“No, it’s not, but you know how to handle Malcolm. He gets frustrated when he can’t control a situation but everything isn’t for him to handle. One day he’ll figure that out.”
Cilla blew a gust of warm breath past her lips. Her gaze skated across the landscape as she tried to collect her thoughts, wanting to figure out what to do.
Mama Claudette chuckled softly. “Stop worrying. Everything is going to work out. Malcolm loves you and you love him. You going to speak with Shanell is not going to change that. Personally, I think it’s a good thing. Malcolm is connected to Shanell as long as the girls are living and breathing whether he likes it or not. They don’t have to like each other but there are going to be moments when they’re going to have to get along.”
Cilla nodded in agreement. She smiled brightly. “Do you think if I baked him a cake he’ll be in a better mood?”
Mama Claudette smiled. “He might not be but I assure you it will make me and the girls very happy!”
Chapter Twenty
The medium security correctional institution in Cumberland, Maryland, was intimidating and only because Cilla knew it was a federal prison that housed some thirteen hundred offenders. As she pulled her rental car into the parking lot she took a deep breath to ease her rising anxiety.
Shanell’s attorney had added her to the approved visitors list and Cilla had called days earlier to guarantee the visit would be permitted.
Arriving the night before she’d gone over the lengthy list of visiting rules and regulations insuring there would be no issues that would necessitate her being turned away. Securing her car she followed the signs that pointed her in the direction of the visiting room. After enduring two body searches and numerous reviews of her paperwork she was led to the visiting room to wait.
Around her, wives, mothers, fathers, and children sat excitedly, anxious for the little time they would be able to spend with their loved ones. Despite the energy in the room Cilla found it all a little depressing. She blew a deep sigh wishing she had her cell phone and could text Malcolm. She missed him and despite his being mad she knew he missed her too.
When the door opened next a guard led Shanell into the room. The woman walking in Cilla’s direction in no way resembled the woman she’d seen in Baltimore. She wore the mandatory tan jumper, which actually looked like a couture design on her ultra-lean frame. Her hair was pulled back into a single ponytail down the length of her back. Her hands were pushed deep in the pocket and she looked almost childlike as she tried to hide her nervousness. As she sat down across the table, Cilla noted that her eyes were clear and bright. Both women smiled, trying to ease the tension between them.
“Thank you for coming,” Shanell said, initiating the conversation.
Cilla smiled. “I wasn’t sure why you asked me.”
She shrugged. “I’ve been practicing what I wanted to say for weeks. Now that you’re here, my mind’s gone completely blank.”
Cilla smiled again. “The girls both wrote you letters and sent you their school photos. They confiscated them when I arrived. The guard said you’d get them once they were cleared.”
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