by Lee, Lenise
“Yes…of course I will,” I croacked out and Jackson stood up to seize my lips, the moisture from my face trickling onto his clean shaven cheeks.
As I dabbed at my eyes with my right hand, he slipped a sapphire ring, encircled in sparkling diamonds, on the finger of my left hand.
I hugged him again, still too speechless and giddy to do anything else.
“Welcome to our family, Janay,” Annie said from across the bar. Her grin was wide and her face was flushed with excitement. “Now you and Jackson can start workin’ on givin’ me some grandbabies.”
The bar went up in a roar of laughter.
I looked at Jackson and lifted my eyebrow, an alluring smirk hanging on my lips.
“I’m ready to start right now, if you are Mr. Bryant.”
A full set of pearly whites shot back an answer before he spoke.
“Baby, I’m always ready to have a taste of you…Mrs. Bryant.”
When I turned eighteen, I had contemplated searching for my birth parents. Standing here now, swooning over the man that I loved and surrounded by friends and family, with more arriving in a few weeks, I came to the conclusion that I was so glad I had not taken that path. This was my home, and it was always waiting for me to arrive.
Another lingering kiss between Jackson and I sealed our futures together, forever and always.
THE END
Excerpt from ‘Simone: Second Chances’ by Lenise Lee
…From favorite movies to most annoying habits, we shared a lifetime in one extended exchange. He was so easy to connect with and no subject – except one in particular – seemed to be taboo or too insignificant to flow freely between us.
I was reluctant to say goodbye to a wonderful man, a delightful evening, and a delicious after-hour’s breakfast, which had been the most heartfelt meal I had experienced in a long while. When a small yawn worked its way up from my belly, I knew that was the signal for the extreme lateness of the hour.
“I should go.” I said the words but was far from actually meaning them.
“Wait…not yet.”
Daniel’s eyes pleaded with me and I almost gave in to his request. Would another hour truly make much of a difference? Truly it would…
Excerpt from ‘After the Sunset’ by Lenise Lee
…Though she wanted nothing more than for him to take her by the wrists and pull her in close so that his body covered every inch of her bare skin, Nichole’s feet were planted to the ground. She dared not make a sound nor move one inch from the spot she anchored to. Was she ready to take on Eric Raven? A man whose persona was so much more bold, confident, and irresistible than any man whom she had ever encountered. Up until now, she had successfully played her role and set her will for him never to see the way she quivered inside whenever he was near and how he caused her hormones to spike to the breaking point. One word, one unchecked glance could make him alert to the fact that she craved him down to her very core. Nichole wanted to feel Eric’s immense strength throbbing within her walls, to moan his name aloud as he pushed his full weight and brawn deep inside and up to her womb. Never in her life had Nichole ever considered succumbing to a night of unadulterated passion with a man whom she barely knew. Was she really ready to take the leap and allow herself this one night of inhibition?…
…Nichole’s lips parted, as if to speak. Eric lowered his arms and leaned down a little closer, eager to listen. But no words came out. She remained silent, her eyes still searching him, trying to make the right decision…