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Dion and I were inseparable.

Unlike some people you get bored with when you’re together all the time, the more time he and I spent with one another, the more our feelings deepened.

I got my period, so Dion and I hadn’t made a baby that night on the kitchen floor. But I wasn’t worried. It was probably better that I got through my divorce before trying to take that step.

I leased myself a Pontiac G6 Coupe, which was sporty and sexy at the same time. It felt good to lease a car on my own. Like I was establishing my independence.

I hoped Spike was right, that some time and distance would give Robert a chance to accept our separation. He hadn’t called me in nearly two weeks, and I hadn’t called him. I advised my lawyer that Robert had her
information and would get in touch with her when he’d retained counsel.

And then I went on with my life.

“Are you sure you don’t want to invite Robert to the barbecue tomorrow?” Treasure asked when I spoke with her the day before Shane’s party.

“No, Treasure. We’re definitely over. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to bring a friend.”

“What kind of friend?” she asked.

“You’ll see,” I told her.

“Elsie, are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve never been more certain.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Treasure told me, but she sounded more wary than curious.

Treasure was my oldest friend, and I knew she was worried about me. No doubt she was concerned about the breakup of my marriage. I would explain everything to her when I saw her, and introduce her to Dion. He was a part of my life now. A big part.

I hoped that Treasure would be receptive to meeting the new man who’d captured my heart, but her smile was guarded the next day when she shook his hand.

“So you’re Elsie’s friend,” she said.

“Yes,” Dion answered, and he slipped an arm around my waist. But the way he touched me said we were much more than friends.

The backyard was full of people. Husbands and wives and a number of children. Women sat around the table, smiling and chatting, while Shane and the other men were around the barbecue, drinking beer.

I put the gift I’d brought for Shane on the deck with
other presents, then went to greet him and introduce him to Dion. Shane greeted him with a broad smile and handshake, showing none of the reservation his wife had.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

I turned to face Treasure. “Sure.”

“Privately.”

I nodded and followed her to the side of the house. Treasure’s hair was pulled back from her face in a tight, short ponytail. Her dark skin was flawless and she hardly looked as though she’d aged in the past twenty years. But there was something different about her. From her hair to her clothes to her makeup, she was more conservative.

“That’s your boyfriend?” she asked.

“Yes,” I told her. I hadn’t brought Dion here to pretend he was just a friend.

“And it’s serious?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “It is.”

Treasure sighed. “I’m surprised.”

“I’m sure you are. I haven’t been able to tell you everything about what happened with Robert, but things went sour real fast.” I quickly filled her in on the lie that had changed everything. “But the truth is, there were signs from before that things weren’t right. I ignored them, because I wanted a baby, but when I found out that he’d had a vasectomy…”

“And you can’t forgive him?” she asked.

The question surprised me, I guess because all my other friends who knew the truth had supported my
leaving Robert. “Even if I can forgive him, it still changes our relationship.”

“I’ve only known Robert to be sweet and giving.”

“I’m not saying he’s a bad guy. He’s just not the right guy for me.”

“And you’ve decided this after nearly nine years of marriage?” Her expression said she didn’t believe it. “Marriage is sacred, Elsie. Don’t rush into a divorce. And committing adultery—”

“Adultery?” I narrowed my eyes as I stared at her. “I’m separated.”

“In the eyes of the Lord, you’re still a married woman.”

“Mommy, mommy!” Treasure’s four-year-old son, Javan, appeared at the side of the house. “Mommy, come see my new trick!”

He tugged on Treasure’s hand, giving her no choice but to follow him. She gave me a “what can you do?” look and trotted off with him.

And just in time. I didn’t like where our conversation was headed. She’d become a Christian several years ago, but it wasn’t her right to judge me. She was a friend, and I wanted her support—not any lectures on morality.

Maybe you’re overreacting,
I told myself as I wandered back to the table where the women were sitting. The news of my separation was a shock to Treasure, that was all. Seeing me with Dion was a bigger shock. Wasn’t it natural for her to have questions?

Dion seemed content with the men, and I watched them across the yard laughing at something someone had said.

An hour passed with happy chatter among the women, the children screaming with delight as they played in a kiddie pool. There were barbecued ribs and chicken and salad and broiled corn. The last time we’d been at Treasure’s place for such a gathering, Robert had been miserable—I think because of all the young couples and children. Though Treasure’s friends had gone out of their way to make conversation with him, Robert had been stiff and unfriendly. And when someone asked if he was my father, Robert looked as if he’d wished the young man an instant death.

Dion, on the other hand, fit in at this gathering right away, establishing an easy rapport with everyone.

Though I was sitting among the women, I was only half paying attention to what they were saying. Every part of me was involved in watching my man, who was now tossing a football with the guys. I didn’t know much about the game, but it was clear he had a good arm. The ball went right to whatever man he threw it to.

I was fiddling with the fruit on my plate, waiting for Dion to make eye contact with me.

Shane caught the ball Dion had thrown, and he ran with it, but was tackled by one of the other men. The two fell onto the grass, laughing as they did.

And then, as if Dion sensed my eyes on him, he turned and looked straight at me. I spiked a piece of the pineapple off my plate and lifted it to my mouth. I parted my lips slowly, then popped the fruit in. Lust darkened Dion’s eyes, and I knew what he was thinking.

“Elsie?”

Treasure’s voice brought me back to the present. I swallowed the fruit before speaking. “Hmm?”

She turned to look at Dion and then back at me. Realization dawned in her eyes. She knew that despite the distance between us, he and I had just been sharing an illicit moment.

She didn’t look pleased.

“Well?” she asked.

“Well what?” I countered.

She forced a smile onto her face. “What would you prefer?”

Treasure wasn’t giving me any more than that, almost as if she wanted to embarrass me for my inattention in front of her friends.

Kathy, the woman to her right, came to my aid. “Treasure said you’d tell us about Paris, since you’ve been there a few times. I’m dying to go—if I can get Bill to take me.”

“Paris.” Why had Treasure mentioned Paris? Her way of reminding me that I was married? “Paris is an incredibly beautiful city, rich with history. It’s very romantic. And of course, the cuisine is exquisite.”

“What about the shopping?” Deanna, the woman to my left, asked.

“It’s a woman’s dream, of course. Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent… Bring an empty suitcase if you can—you’ll need it.”

“Her husband has taken her so many wonderful places all over the world,” Treasure said, her eyes lighting up. “And you should see Elsie’s house. The Peninsula. On the water. It’s like a European villa for a countess.”

The women all looked at me with interest. There was a chorus of “oohs.”

“It is quite the house,” I said good-naturedly, wondering again what Treasure was trying to do. “But it’s my ex-husband’s house. Not mine.”

“Oh, you’re divorced?” A woman named Sydney asked.

“Not yet,” Treasure said. “It’s more like they’re taking a break from each other.”

Now I knew something was up with her. I eyed my friend with disapproval.

Deanna looked confused. “So Dion is—”

“My boyfriend,” I said. “I’m separated.” I smiled sweetly, hoping to hide my annoyance. “Hopefully, the divorce will be final soon.”

“Oh,” Kathy said knowingly. “My cousin’s going through a divorce, too. It’s been taking a while, but she said she had to move on with her life, so she found herself a new man. One who treats her real well, too.”

I pushed my chair back. I wasn’t interested in talking about divorces and new boyfriends. Truth be told, I was pissed off with Treasure.

But I couldn’t confront her without looking like a bitch. I stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”

I exhaled sharply as I turned to the house. I wanted to throttle Treasure for bringing up Robert. Clearly, she couldn’t accept the fact that I’d brought Dion with me to this party, and wanted to punish me for that decision.

I didn’t need to use the bathroom, but walked toward
the house nonetheless. I entered through the patio doors and went to the powder room off the kitchen.

Inside, I braced my hands on the edge of the pedestal sink and closed my eyes.
Treasure just needs time,
I told myself.
She likes Robert, and I can’t expect her to stop liking him just because we’re getting a divorce.

I flushed the toilet to make it look good, waited a beat, then opened the washroom door. Seeing a form in the doorway, I started.

Dion stared down at me, and the look in his eyes set my body on fire.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey.”

He shot a quick look over his shoulder, then snaked his arm around my waist and urged me back into the bathroom. He closed the door, and his lips went immediately to my neck.

I giggled. “What are you doing?”

“I saw you with that pineapple. I know what you want.”

“You do, huh?” I giggled again.

“Yeah.” He kissed me. All tongue and heat.

And despite where we were, I was turned on. I wanted to fuck my man.

Dion’s hands slipped beneath my shirt, skimmed my rib cage and went up to cup my breasts. “Oh, baby.”

He pushed my bra out of the way and ran the pad of his thumbs over my nipples, hardening them. As I moaned, he lowered his mouth to one breast. He flicked his tongue over it, up and down, down and up, bringing
my desire to a fever pitch. Then he gently bit it, grazed his teeth over it.

“I want to make you come,” Dion said, then closed his lips around my other nipple.

And I wanted to come. I wanted this moment of pleasure with the man who excited me more than anyone ever had.

He eased me backward with his body, pressing me against the wall. All the while, his tongue never left my nipple. He suckled it, vibrated it with his tongue. Drew it completely into his mouth as though he wanted to swallow it.

“Oh, God, Dion.” I lifted my skirt up, slipped my hand into my panties. Felt the wetness covering my clitoris.

Dion’s hand covered mine there. Twining our fingers together, he guided both my middle finger and his into my pussy.

“Shit, you’re so wet….” He suckled me harder, thrust both of our fingers deeper into my vagina. I cried out, then bit my bottom lip to silence my moans.

He moved our fingers faster and deeper, worked his tongue harder. The pad of his thumb moved around my clit in hot, delicious circles.

I felt my pleasure building, and I knew it wouldn’t take long for me to come.

Dion sank to the floor, pulled my panties down my thighs, then brought his hot tongue to my clitoris. I looked down at him, watching his tongue flicking up and down.

Then he began to suckle me. I gripped his head as I started to come.

And then the bathroom door opened—and my orgasm promptly died.

“Oh, my God—”

Dion reacted quickly, jerking backward and thrusting out a hand to slam the door shut.

“Shit,” he uttered.

Alarm and embarrassment shot through me. Turning back toward me, Dion kissed my clit as though he would continue to pleasure me if I wanted him to. He looked up at me, and I saw my own shock reflected on his face.

And then he smiled—a wickedly satisfied smile that made me feel better.

Well, a little better. Because my body ached to reach climax, and it wouldn’t—at least not right now.

Dion stood, kissed me quickly and helped me right my clothes. “We should have locked the door,” he whispered.

I giggled into his shoulder. But as he turned the doorknob, I felt mortified. I hoped that whoever had been there a moment ago would have had the sense to leave.

No such luck.

Treasure stood there, her arms crossed over her chest, a scowl on her face. “I can’t
believe
you,” she began without preamble. “This is a barbecue, not a sex party—or whatever the two of you are used to!”

“I apologize,” Dion said. “We just…got carried away.”

Treasure glared at him, which pissed me off. She’d been waiting for this moment—the moment she could look at him with open disdain.

“Dion, I’ll see you in the backyard,” I said. I gently caressed his arm. “I need to speak to my friend.”

He looked at me, then at her. “I take full responsibility for this, Treasure,” he said. “And I apologize. We didn’t mean any disrespect.”

She didn’t reply.

“I’ll see you in a few minutes,” I told him.

He walked away, turning back as he reached the patio door. I nodded, indicating that it was okay for him to leave us alone.

I was about to speak, but one of the husbands entered the kitchen. “Someone in the bathroom?” he asked as he approached us.

“No. It’s free now.” To Treasure I said, “I’d love to see that dress you bought.”

Turning sharply, she stalked off toward the master bedroom. I followed her and closed the door behind me.

As Treasure faced me, it was clear she was livid. Far too livid, as far as I was concerned.

“If you think that you can excuse what you did…” Her voice trailed off as her chest heaved.