It Started in Paradise

by Nicki Night

  Chloe bobbed her head to the music. Almost every table was occupied. The hostess guided them to a spot right up front. Chloe looked around, taking in the mellow atmosphere as they took their seats. Instantly, she fell in love with the place and imagined being the one onstage.

  Donovan excused himself to go to the restroom. Chloe’s smile was instinctive. The singer’s voice seemed to flow right through her. It had been so long since Chloe had been in a place like this. She wondered why and promised herself that she’d get out more often.

  Donovan returned, leaned in and asked if she was enjoying herself.

  “I’m having an amazing time already.”

  “Great!”

  A waiter came by and they ordered drinks and a meal, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. She sipped her cocktail as the singer took to the stage after a short break. Chloe looked forward to hearing her sing again. She looked over at Donovan and caught him staring at her again. She smiled.

  They didn’t talk much inside the lounge but their non-verbal communication was companionable. Donovan held her hand and they tapped their fingers to the rhythms that overtook the entire room.

  Suddenly Donovan stood. “Can I have this dance?”

  “Sure.” Chloe stood and stepped into his arms and they swayed to the music. She was limber in Donovan’s arms. No tension existed there. They danced for a few songs and returned to their seats.

  “Still having a good time?” Donovan leaned closely and asked.

  “I’m having a great time. Thank you for making me get out tonight.”

  “I have a surprise for you and I hope you like it.” Donovan sipped his cocktail.

  Chloe’s smile spread across her face. “I love surprises.” Donovan’s magnified smile made her feel as if she’d made his day.

  They sipped some more and when the singer called her name, Chloe looked around as if she were referring to another Chloe.

  “Ms. Chloe, will you do us the honor of joining us onstage tonight?” the woman said into the microphone.

  Chloe’s eyes widened and she set them on Donovan. He pointed to the stage. “Seems they’re paging you. You’d better go.” A conspicuous smile played at the corner of his lips.

  “Donovan! You didn’t!”

  “Come on, Ms. Chloe,” the Jill Scott look-a-like coaxed. “Y’all help me welcome her.” The crowd burst into applause.

  “Yeah, Ms. Chloe,” one patron yelled.

  “Are you going to sing for us, Ms. Chloe?” another shouted.

  “Your audience awaits.” Donovan stood and held his hand out to her.

  Slowly, Chloe stood and took his hand. Applause erupted again. Donovan guided her to the stage as one would a queen to her throne.

  Chloe climbed the two steps, mounting the stage. She looked over the room. People were still applauding, calling out her name. It all felt surreal.

  “Yes! Let’s give Ms. Chloe a hand.” The singer clapped with the microphone in one hand. “What would you like to sing for us tonight?”

  Chloe thought for a moment. Instead of coming up with a song, she was taken aback. It was like déjà vu. Chloe remembered being a young girl and imagining herself standing before adoring crowds. A mix of fear and exhilaration filled her lungs. She took a deep breath.

  “What song?” she repeated to herself, forcing her mind to return to the present. Donovan had returned to his seat. She looked down at him and he gave her a reassuring nod.

  As she stared into his smiling face, a song came to her. She told the singer, who shared her selection and cued the band before handing Chloe the microphone. She’d chosen a classic by an old-school R & B soul artist that her mother loved to listen to and she loved to sing.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Chloe Chandler!” The woman led another round of applause.

  Chloe lifted the microphone to her mouth. Once again, she looked over the audience, now seeing them as a group of individuals instead of one blurry boisterous cluster. She looked into the faces of several people. They encouraged her with a nod or smile. Some of them shouted out to her again.

  “You can do it.”

  “Don’t be shy, honey.”

  “She looks like she can sing.” She could tell by the timbre of the voice that this statement was made by an older woman.

  Chloe looked back at the band. The drummer lifted his head. Chloe nodded hers and he began playing the song she’d given to the singer. The pianist joined in next, followed by the guitarist, until each musician added his or her own flow.

  Chloe closed her eyes one last time, opened her mouth and started singing. Immediately, she felt at peace. The rhythm seeped inside of her, compelling Chloe to move to the melody. At first, the crowd quieted. Chloe was aware of the intense silence but kept singing. She could hear the rumble of the crowd grow louder.

  Chloe matched the original artist riff for riff, perfectly laying her beautiful voice over the notes. She reached the bridge and belted out the lyrics with everything inside of her. By the time she opened her eyes, her skin was moist from sweat. Every person in the lounge was on their feet, clapping, shouting her name, whistling.

  Chloe felt like crying at the sight of it all. Her heart was filled with gratitude. She would always remember feeling this euphoric.

  Chloe searched for Donovan. She spotted him. He beamed with pride. She took a bow and handed the microphone back. The applause continued as she returned to her table. She fell into Donovan’s arms. At first, he embraced her. After a moment, he pulled away from, held her face in his hands and covered her lips with his. Donovan kissed her as if he’d never let go. Chloe knew then that she’d never forget this night.

  Chapter 12

  Donovan didn’t want to let Chloe go. His chest instinctively puffed when she’d come off the stage and walked right into his arms. Before he realized what he’d done, Donovan had pulled her face to his and lost himself in their kiss. He was brought back to reality by the whooping of the crowd cheering on their affectionate display.

  “Now that’s how you let someone know they did a great job,” the lead singer said in jest and laughter filled the small lounge.

  Chloe ended the kiss with a peck, squeezed her eyes shut and giggled toward the floor. They had everyone’s attention and Donovan could tell she was slightly embarrassed.

  “I couldn’t help myself. You were amazing.” Donovan embraced her one more time before pulling out her chair for her to sit.

  Chloe’s smile was endless. “How did you manage that?”

  “What?”

  “Getting them to let me sing?”

  “I’m very persuasive and usually get what I want.” Donovan left it there.

  “Really, Donovan.” Chloe’s expression told him she wasn’t buying his answer.

  “Okay. An old friend owns the club and I told him I was going to bring you here tonight.”

  “Very cool!”

  The band began to play again. The singer joined in after a musician’s jazzy intro. Her voice was beautiful but not like Chloe’s.

  Chloe’s voice ignited something inside of him when she sang. Her perfect pitch left him mesmerized. Awed by her transformation onstage, he watched Chloe intently as she sat across from him, bobbing to the band’s rhythm.

  Taking her hand in his, Donovan reminisced about the moments before. He saw her back onstage, eyes closed, swaying to the beat, moving her head with the notes. Donovan remembered the way she tapped the beat out on her hip to keep her time. He wanted to join her onstage, wrap his arms around her and dance until the song ended. By the time she’d hit her last note, Donovan desired her even more.

  They sat nibbling on appetizers from the limited menu and sipping cocktails through the last set. When the band said their goodbyes, Donovan and Chloe left. Donovan wasn’t ready to g
o home. He took Chloe’s hand and they strolled through Washington Square Park.

  “That felt so good.” Chloe shook her head.

  “Would you do it again?”

  Chloe inhaled, letting her eyes roll back. She released a sharp breath and shook her vigorously. “Yes. It was euphoric!”

  “Good, because a voice like yours is meant to be shared. You shouldn’t keep it under wraps.”

  Chloe shrugged. “I guess.” She sighed. “I’ve been so caught up in work that I put singing aside and forgot how much I enjoyed it.”

  “You ever thought about pursuing a career in music?”

  “Oh Lord, no! That’s not my thing. I’m not willing to give up my privacy.” Chloe looked down and watched her feet as they walked. “Truthfully, my parents, specifically my mother, would have a conniption fit. She never wanted us to be deluded by dreams where other people were in control of how far you could go. Plus we have our family business.”

  “You can sing and still run the business.”

  “It seems like a waste of time.” Chloe didn’t look convinced about her own statement. She squeezed her shoulders into a dismissive shrug.

  “A waste of time to who? You or your family?” Donovan stopped walking and faced her.

  Chloe didn’t look directly at him. “I’m not so sure.”

  “At least you’re honest.” Donovan took her hand and started walking again. “You enjoyed being onstage, didn’t you?” he asked.

  Chloe’s eyes twinkled, even in the moonlight. Wearing a faraway look, she shook her head slowly and her brows knitted as if she were trying to find words. “It was like...” She paused. “A dream! The lights. The people. The standing ovation!” Chloe threw her head back and laughed—the joyful sound reached inside of Donovan and teased his sense of desire once again. “It was incredible.”

  “My mother loves Anita Baker. What made you choose that song?”

  Donovan thought he saw Chloe blush. “Just an old favorite.” Chloe kicked a pebble. “My mom used to play her songs all the time. One year she surprised my dad and sang it to him for his birthday. I think my dad cried. He denies it to this day.” Chloe chuckled. “I’ve loved the song ever since. My mother has a beautiful voice, too,” Chloe said matter-of-factly.

  “I was wondering who you might have gotten that talent from.”

  “Yes. I haven’t heard her sing in years.”

  “Have you ever sung together?” Donovan asked.

  Chloe stopped and bit her bottom lip pensively. “Not since I was a kid.”

  “Maybe you should one day,” Donovan said.

  “We will see if that ever happens,” Chloe said sarcastically.

  After a few more minutes of sauntering through the park, Donovan led Chloe back to the car. He opened her door, waited for her to climb in and gently pushed it shut. Rounding the car, he thought about how to end the night. Donovan wasn’t ready to drop her at home. He really wanted to feel her lips again.

  When Donovan pulled in front of her home, he shut the engine off and sat back. They sat in silence for a few moments before Donovan took her by the hand.

  “Where do you want to go next?”

  Chloe huffed and dropped her head. He felt a pause in his chest and wondered if it was his heart. Had she affected him so much already?

  “Donovan,” Chloe began.

  Donovan held his hands up, stopping her impending objection. “I want to see you again and again and again. I want to ride this roller coaster until it flies off the track. I have a good time with you and I want that to continue. I’m not asking you to the altar. Let’s enjoy ourselves. It will be our thing.”

  Chloe’s mouth opened but nothing came out. She blew out a breath.

  “If you can honestly say you don’t enjoy talking it up and spending time with me, we can end this here and now.”

  Chloe pursed her lips while Donovan held his breath. He’d given her an out but hoped she wouldn’t take it. It had never been so important for him to spend time with a woman before.

  “Let’s have some fun.” Chloe tossed her hands up.

  Donovan reached over, gently turned her cheek toward him and kissed her lips again. She tasted somewhat salty. Her soft lips felt good against his. His tongue darted in and out of her mouth and he leaned as close as he could with the console between them. When he released her, they both sat back panting.

  “Wanna come in?” Chloe’s voice was almost a whisper.

  Donovan was out of the car in an instant. He rounded the vehicle, opened the passenger side door and held out his hand. Chloe took it and stepped out of the car. Donovan locked in on her long legs and bit back a grunt. He planned to be a gentleman until she gave him permission to engage further. He would follow Chloe’s lead no matter how long it took for her to open up to him intimately.

  Chloe took the lead on the walkway up to her door. Donovan followed close behind. Inside, Chloe turned on music and poured two glasses of wine. Donovan didn’t pay attention to the tunes or the TV. His focus was squarely on Chloe.

  They sat in her den, sipping over light conversation. Donovan watched her lips intently as she spoke. They shifted in and out of easy silence as smoothly as a car changing lanes on an open highway.

  After Chloe’s second glass of wine, she giggled more. Her motions grew more fluid and girlishness seeping from her, making her more desirable in Donovan’s eyes. He treasured the way her chin lifted and her shoulder dipped when she laughed. She seemed carefree. His gut clenched at the playful way she regarded him and blushed from his comments.

  Chloe laughed and Donovan covered her mouth, swallowing her laughter. Instantly, their hands roamed one another as if they sought each other through the dark with an eager anticipation for this moment. Just as quickly they lost breath, they caught it again and continued their passionate lock. Donovan drew closer to Chloe. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Chloe leaned back and he lay over her, caressing her perfect C cups through her jumpsuit.

  Deep moans and hisses pushed the droning of the radio further into the background. Donovan suddenly became aware of how much Chloe affected him when his manhood pressed against her navel. He ended the kiss with a few endearing pecks and lifted himself off her. He didn’t want his body’s response to offend her.

  Sitting next to Chloe, he looked at her swollen lips. She touched them—intuitively it seemed. He licked his. It was a natural reaction. Looking at her lips created a special kind of hunger.

  Chloe’s coy smile and the glint in her eye indicated that she knew why he’d pulled away. She glanced down at the bulge in his pants and looked back up at him.

  Donovan played with her hair. “I think it’s time for me to go.” He hoped she would object.

  Instead, she breathed deep and let it out slowly but didn’t respond. Donovan knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Her pebbled nipples and engorged lips told him so. He’d wait until the time was right.

  Two slow sensual kisses served as his acknowledgment that it was time to end the night. Donovan stood reluctantly. Chloe followed suit. He needed one more kiss. Locking her fingers between his, he leaned in for another kiss. Her waiting lips received him passionately.

  “I better leave right now,” he panted when they let one another go.

  “I think that’s best,” she finally agreed.

  Chloe walked him to the door—a walk that seemed much farther than when he first arrived. Another peck. It turned into a deeper kiss. They forced themselves apart.

  “Sing for me next time,” he said close to her lips.

  “I will,” she whispered.

  Donovan became addicted to her voice, needing to hear it daily whether she was singing or not.

  Chapter 13

  Chloe woke early, feeling giddy from their date. She dressed
in shorts and a tank and headed out for an early walk since she hadn’t run in months. Her goal was to work her way back up to a good run starting today. Outside, she stopped and held her face to the sky. The warmth felt good on her skin. She was glad to have made it out before the sun burned off the coolness of the night.

  Chloe had purchased her home over three years ago but as she made her way along the walking path in her complex, she realized she hadn’t paid much attention to how beautiful her neighborhood truly was. She felt as if she was seeing the vibrant roses, lush perennials and perfectly paved winding trail for the first time. She imagined walking the pathway hand-in-hand with Donovan and burst out laughing. She’d never been a sappy, hopeless romantic. What was wrong with her?

  After a few laps, Chloe headed back home to prepare for the day ahead—a fulfilling church service and then dinner with the family. Her Aunt Ava Rae was in town and she couldn’t wait to see her. Aunt Ava was always ripe with straightforward advice, captivating adventures and outlandish narratives that seemed to defy her astute demeanor. A stunning beauty, she was the aunt all the female cousins wanted to be like and the standard all the male cousins compared their girlfriends to.

  Chloe’s phone rang as she put her key in the door. Her joy spread throughout her body when she saw Donovan’s name across her display.

  “You’re up early,” he said just after her greeting.

  “If you weren’t expecting me to answer, then why call?” Chloe bit down on the hankering that was burgeoning from the sound of his voice. She wished he were there to kiss her the way he’d done the other night. She wouldn’t be able to trust herself around him much longer. He awakened things in her that had been dormant even in her last relationship.