Indiscretions (31 page)

“So what are you going to do now?” she asked, daring to look in his eyes.

He shrugged and gave her a half-smile. “Try to start somewhere else, I suppose. I've had some offers.”

She lowered her eyes. “Oh.”

She doesn't want to hear it,
he thought, misery enveloping him.

Please talk to me,
she prayed, picking up her bag as the cab ground to a halt at the curb.

He walked her to the car, feeling as though his whole world was coming to a rapid close.

She stepped into the cab and looked up at him one last time. “Take care of yourself.” She gave him a tremulous smile, her heart quaking in her chest.

“You do the same.”

He grabbed the door, all the words he wanted to say fighting for release. But his pride wouldn't let him say them. “I–I just want to thank you for everything you did.”

His beautiful eyes and unforgettable face etched themselves into her memory.

“You're the best.” He leaned down, placed a feather-soft kiss on her brow, and whispered, “Maybe we'll see each other again.”

She gently closed the door and the cab sped away, leaving her heart behind.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

One Month Later

Cliff and Khendra sat at a cozy little table at Tavern on the Green. The food was excellent, the music perfect, and Khendra appeared more beautiful than ever.

The black off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline dress hugged her every curve. Her shimmering auburn hair was swept up in a classic chignon, with tempting tendrils shadowing her face.

He longed to reach across the table and touch her. But she looked so fragile, almost too exquisite to be real. Yet, she was different since she'd returned, more reserved, withdrawn. And he knew it had to do with Sean.

They had spent every evening together since her return, but she was never really there. Her entire being was with Sean, and the quiet knowledge shook him.

He reached across the table and touched her hand, wanting to bring her back from that secret place to which she constantly escaped.

She looked at him with a distant smile. “Khendra,” he began slowly, “I know these last few months have been hard on you—”

“Cliff, don't. I—”

“No. I want you to listen to me,” he said in a husky voice. “You've been working like a demon for weeks, Almost as though your work could replace whatever it is you think you've lost.”

She looked away, as the truth of his words edged up to her throat.

“I thought I could fill the gap, but—”

He put a gentle finger to her lips. “Shh. Just listen. I know better now. I can't be what you want. At least not until you get rid of the ghosts.”

“Cliff, I—”

Her lips trembled as she fought back her tears. “I'd like to offer you a proposition. I have a little cottage in Nassau. It's quiet, secluded, the perfect place to relax and think.”

He reached into his jacket pocket. “Here, I want you take this.” He handed her a key. “It's yours for as long as you want it. And I won't take no for an answer.” He smiled at the look of gratitude that lit her eyes. “You could use some time off, anyway.”

The moon hung low in the sky, filling it with a brilliant white light. The crystal blue waves gently lapped against the white, sandy beach, caressing her slender ankles as she walked along the shore.

It had been nearly two weeks since she had sought refuge at the cozy hideaway. Still, the serene atmosphere hadn't soothed the tumultuous thoughts that continued to plague her.

Cliff had been so right about so many things. He was a good man, a solid man, one who could very well make her happy.

If…

If Sean had never entered her life.

But there were still so many unanswered questions, so many things left unsaid between her and Sean, and the hurt of his betrayal still lingered.

But she had been so stubborn. So consumed with her own hurt pride that she had not allowed him to reenter her heart. At this moment, as she looked up at the sky, she would give anything to have a second chance.

Sighing, she placed a brightly colored beach towel on the sand and sat down, crossing her long legs beneath her. She stared out into the ocean, willing herself back through time to a place that was filled with loving words and promises of a bright tomorrow. She covered her face with her hands—and she cried.

With determined strides, he walked up to the moon-washed wooden door. He raised his hand to knock, only to find that the door swung open at his touch.

He called out, but no one answered. Daring to enter, he crossed the threshold and walked through each of the rooms, finding each one of them empty.

His briefly lifted spirits sank. Perhaps he'd made a mistake by coming at all.

With no real direction in mind, he turned to leave and walked aimlessly across the beach. Looking across the horizon, he stuck his large hands into the pockets of his white cotton slacks, wondering whether he should return to his hotel room.

His eyes trailed across the beach and languidly rested on a silhouette that made his insides tighten. The solitary figure looked so forlorn and lost, so much like he felt at that moment.

He moved closer and saw, captured in the glow of moonlight, hair that seemed to reflect its rays in an iridescent dance. His breath caught.

Then, casting all doubts aside, he slowly approached.

“Hi.”

The voice shimmied down her spine and warmed her like heated brandy. She dared not look around, for certainly it must be her imagination. But it couldn't be, she realized as the familiar scent reached her nostrils.

She turned and looked up into eyes of black midnight, and her world stood still.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

He stood above her, as regal and sleek as a Nubian king. His skin of ebony glistened against the stark-white shirt that was opened just enough to make her imagination rampant.

Bubbles of joy danced in her stomach and lit her eyes, making the tears that still filled them shimmer in the moonlight.

“I came all this way for some beautiful company. It gets kind of lonely when you're new in town.” He smiled hopefully at her, melting her heart, and she reached up to take his hand, drawing him down next to her.

She stroked his face, as though not believing he could be real, searching his eyes to be sure. Then all of her pent-up feelings seemed to overflow at once. “Oh, Sean, I'm so sorry. Sorry for everything. I've been—”

“Don't,” he said in a low voice. “It was my fault. I should have told you everything from the beginning. But I was just afraid that if you knew too much, it might put you in danger.”

She looked quizzically at him. “I don't understand,” she said in a hushed voice.

He looked into her eyes. “Are you willing to listen to me this time?”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

He inhaled deeply, then spun out the details that had lead him to Atlanta and to her.

“It had come to the attention of the bar association that Alex was promoting unfair hiring practices as well as falsifying documents for large sums of money.”

“Where did you fit in?”

“After my divorce and the near destruction of my legal career, I went into a small private practice in New York. Shortly after that, I was approached by a representative of the bar to investigate MC&P, primarily Alex Counts. They figured that with my qualifications and with an opening coming up at the firm, I was the perfect candidate, so I applied for a position.”

“And Alex hired you.”

“Exactly, and he played right into my hands—he did everything he was suspected of doing, including pulling the rug right out from under you for not bending to his wishes.”

“But didn't the other partners know what was going on?”

“If they did, they never let on. Alex can be a very intimidating and convincing man.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I finally had all the evidence I needed when—” He exhaled. “At least he got what he deserved. And he'll be disbarred.”

She squeezed his hand, then looked up at him.

“And all along I thought I was the one who had been wronged,” she said mournfully.

Then the stark reality of his miraculous appearance dawned on her. “How did you know where to find me?”

“Cliff called me.” His voice dropped to a low rumble. “And he told me if I lose you again, he won't give up as easily next time.”

Her heart mellowed at the thought of Cliff's unselfish act. He was willing to give up his hopes for them just to see her happy.

“There will never be a next time,” she said, her voice filled with promise. Her eyes held his.

He reached across and ran his fingers through her hair. “It's over now. Behind us.”

She looked down at the sand. “Can you ever forgive me for being so foolish?”

He dipped his head to reach her mouth and let his lips answer her, surrendering his soul to the sweetness of them.

All the months of cruel anguish diminished bit by bit, like many particles of sand blowing away with the tropical breeze as he pledged his undying love.

She clung to him, drawing on him for all the strength and solace her spirit craved. She gave herself up to his caress as his tender hands glided down her bikini-clad body, pulling her strongly against him, sending wave upon wave of longing surging through her.

She tossed aside the ghosts that had stalked her happiness, and at last, put Tony's memory to rest, opening her heart completely and irrevocably to the man who made her life worth living again.

She had recaptured love and came to fully understand the true meaning of friendship, all under one blissful, moonlit night. And she vowed against his tender lips, never to let go again.

Ever.

A NEW BEGINNING…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Hill began her career in 1987 writing short stories for the confession magazines. Since that time she has more than 70 published titles to her credit since her first novel was released in 1990, and is considered one of the early pioneers of the African-American romance genre. Three of her novels have been adapted for television. She has been featured in
Essence, the New York Daily News, USA Today, Today's Black Woman
, and
Black Enterprise,
among many others. She has appeared on numerous radio and television stations across the country, and her work has appeared on several bestseller lists, including
Essence, Emerge
and
The Dallas Morning News
. She has received numerous awards for her body of work, which cross several genres, including The Career Achievement Award, the first recipient of The Trailblazer Award, The Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award, The Gold Pen Award, as well as commendations for her community service during her tenure as director for Kianga House—a transitional residence for homeless teen mothers and their children.

Donna co-wrote the screenplay
Fire,
which enjoyed limited theater release before going to DVD. As an editor she has packaged several highly successful novels and anthologies, two of which were nominated for awards. She served as a writing instructor at The Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center in New York. Donna has been a writing instructor with the Elders Writing Program sponsored by Medgar Evers College through Poets & Writers. She is a graduate of Goddard College with an MFA in creative writing and is currently in pursuit of her Ph.D. in secondary and adult education. She is an adjunct professor of English at Essex County College, Baruch College, and Medgar Evers College.

Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family.