Ties That Bind (38 page)

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Authors: Brenda Jackson

BOOK: Ties That Bind
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. Haywood met Trey's gaze. “I'm going with you. Wait a minute while I grab my purse and jacket.” The three of them watched as she raced up the stairs.
Trey's glance went to the woman on the other side of the room. A woman he had hated needlessly for the past twenty-two years of his life. He squared his shoulders and slowly walked over to her. “It seems
that I owe you a big apology, Jenna,” he said softly, seeing the tears lining her eyes.
She smiled at him through those tears. “No, all is forgiven, Trey. Unless …”
He raised a dark brow. “Unless what?”
The gaze that met his was unwavering and completely serious. “Unless you hurt my daughter.”
 
Trey tried calling his mother the minute he was back in his hotel room. He couldn't get an answer at her home or her cell phone.
“Maybe it's not a good time to talk to her right now, Trey. You should chill a while and think about why she did what she did, and try to reach some kind of understanding.”
He looked at Haywood and frowned. “An understanding? How can there be an understanding, Haywood? For twenty-two years I didn't have a relationship with my father because of her.”
“Yes, but there has to be a reason for what she did. Maybe it stems from something in her childhood, or maybe—”
“Why are you trying to find excuses for her?”
Haywood shrugged. “Because she is your mother and I believe she loves you and doesn't want to lose you. After thinking about all of this, I think the reason she did what she did was because she didn't want to lose you.”
“She wouldn't have lost me.”
“But she had no way of knowing that. According to Randolph she's an only child. Maybe that had something to do with it.”
“All I can see are the actions of a manipulative and spiteful woman who didn't stop at anything to hurt my father, even using her own son.”
Haywood knew at that moment there was nothing she could say in Angela's defense. It would be up to the woman to save face with her son … if that was possible. She had been caught in the worse type of lies.
Haywood walked across the room to Trey. She smoothed her hands down his chest then leaned up on tiptoes to kiss him. He returned her
kiss with a hunger that she knew bordered on need and pain. And then he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
Trey released her long enough to undress her then undress himself. And when he joined her on the bed, nothing else mattered other than getting inside of her and being a part of her. His attention was focused only on her. He saw her as something wonderful. Something fascinating. Something that he wanted more than life itself. And suddenly, he knew why.
That knowledge made him look at her in a whole new light. No longer did he see her as the woman sharing his passion but he saw her as the woman who shared his heart. His breath caught when he moved his body in place over hers and kissed her in a way he had never kissed another woman. Surrendering himself completely.
And then he made love to her in a way he had never done to another woman. Totally and without reserve. He entered her slowly, going as deep as he could as the scent of her body entranced him. The sensations of being inside of her were flooding every part of him when he began to move inside of her.
Pressing her hands on his shoulders she helped guide him to where she wanted him to be and he took full advantage of it. With intimate slowness he moved in and out, feeling each and every shiver of pleasure her body made as it mated with his.
He could feel her bare breasts against his hairy chest and feel her stomach completely lined with his. They were connected from head to toe and he couldn't imagine her not being a part of him forever.
He broke off their kiss. He had to see her this time. He had to look into her eyes while he made love to her. “Open your eyes for me, Haywood. I want to see you.”
He watched her lids flutter open and saw the darkness of desire that clouded her pupils. He looked closer and wanted to see if he saw in her gaze what he knew was in his, whether she could decipher it or not. He saw her blink and refocus on him. And finally as that part of him went even deeper inside of her, stroking harder, he saw what he wanted to see. Passion and love.
Then he completely lost it as sensations, to a degree he'd never
felt before, rammed through him. He automatically exploded inside of her as she bucked wildly, almost out of control. Her eyes seemed to have rolled to the back of her head when she screamed out her pleasure at the same time he groaned out his. He pushed further inside of her, wanting her to feel him. Know him. Want him and love him.
And as their passion began subsiding, he held her tightly in his arms, knowing there was no way he would ever let her go.
“So,” Leigh said as she blew out a breath after listening to what Jenna had just shared with her regarding Trey and Randolph. “What's next?”
Jenna shook her head. “I don't know. I'm just glad Trey has finally learned the truth. But even so, Randolph didn't tell him everything. He didn't tell him about the drugging or coming home to find her having sex with another man.”
“Don't you think he should have told him everything?”
“No, I think Randolph did the right thing by not telling him. Those two things really don't involve Trey. What Randolph wanted was to make sure Trey understood that I didn't break up his marriage and that he didn't turn his back on him.”
“How did Trey take the news?”
“Not well. He went back to the hotel and Haywood went with him.”
Leigh lifted a brow. “Haywood? You mean they've learned to tolerate each other that much on Glendale Shores?”
“You don't know the half of it.” Jenna shook her head, smiling. “But maybe you will later if they still come tonight.”
Before Leigh could ask what she had meant the doorbell sounded. “Excuse me for a minute. I have to take up my post as hostess.” She glanced around. “By the way, where is the man of the hour? I haven't seen him since you and Randolph arrived.”
Jenna chuckled. “That should tell you something. They're in Noah's office talking business as usual.”
Leigh crossed the room and opened the door. She smiled when she saw it was Randolph's grandparents, Robert and Julia Fuller. She gave Robert a kiss on the cheek and gave Julia a big hug. As usual the older woman looked stunning. “Come on in. Randolph and Jenna arrived a few minutes ago. Can I get the two of you something to drink?”
 
Jenna helped Leigh place trays of hors d'oeuvres on the table.
“So, how does it look?” Leigh asked, eyeing the table.
“Gorgeous as ever.”
“Did I tell you that Zach is bringing some young lady tonight?”
Jenna shook her head. “No, you didn't mention it. He's back to dating again?”
“I guess so. He arrived in town today from a business trip and called to let me know he's bringing a guest. I have no idea who she is or how they met.”
Jenna grinned. “Does it matter?”
Leigh smiled in a way that told Jenna she was pleased about something. “No, I'm just glad he's seeing someone. Shaun's death was so hard on him.” She glanced across the room at Haywood and Trey. They had arrived a few moments ago. “Are you going to tell me what's going on with Haywood and Trey?”
Jenna smiled. “Oh, so you've noticed something?”
Leigh lifted a brow. “How could I not notice? They have all but been in each other's pockets since they got here. And I can't help noticing how they keep smiling at each other and they're so touchytouchy.” She smiled. “They remind me of you and Randolph when the two of you were a hot item at Howard.”
Jenna shook her head laughing. “We weren't ever a hot item.”
“I thought so and so did others.” Leigh checked her watch. “I hope Zach hurries up and gets here. I can't wait to see the girl he's bringing with him.”
Jenna glanced across the room to where Haywood and Trey stood. Haywood had laughed at something he'd said, moments before holding
a piece of food up to his mouth for him to bite into. They seemed happy together and she hoped everything worked out for them.
 
The first thing Anna noticed about Zach's family's home was just how big it was, and then she noticed how many cars were parked out front. “I thought this would be a small birthday dinner, Zach,” she whispered as they strolled up the walkway leading to the front door.
“This is my mother's definition of small,” he said as he pressed the doorbell. He looked at her thinking she looked absolutely stunning in the outfit she was wearing. They had arrived in town earlier that day and he had convinced her to stay at his apartment and use his guest room. He knew she still had misgivings about coming tonight but he knew it was time the thirty-four-year search ended.
He took her hand in his and squeezed it lightly. “Nervous?”
Anna nodded as she smiled at him. “Yes.” She liked him. Over the past few days they had become friends.
His hand on hers tightened. “Everything will work out, Anna. You'll see.”
The door opened and Noelle gave her brother and the beautiful woman at his side a squeaky-clean smile. “Well, hi, Zachary.”
Zach grinned and said to Anna, “This is my sister Noelle.” To Noelle he said, “I'd like you to meet Anna.”
Noelle extended her hand to Anna. “It's nice to meet you, Anna.” Zach had told Anna all about the younger sister he adored.
Anna took Noelle's hand in hers and returned Noelle's warm welcoming smile. “Thanks.”
Zach looked down at Anna and his smile widened. “Ready to meet everyone?”
She nervously smiled back at him. “As ready as I'll ever be.”
 
“I think that was Zach at the door,” Leigh whispered to Jenna. “I'm glad he's finally here.”
No sooner had she said the words, Zach and a beautiful woman dressed in a stunning white dress entered the room. Leigh's attention was diverted when she heard the sound of a plate crashing to the hardwood
floor. She looked to her right to see that it had fallen from Julia Fuller's hand and there was a look of total shock on the older woman's face. The room became deathly quiet as everyone tried to figure out what had startled the woman so.
Leigh followed Julia's fixed gaze to where Zach stood with his date and when she looked into the young woman's face—which was at the same exact second Jenna did—both women simultaneously uttered a quick intake of breath. Except for her slanted eyes, the woman who stood at Zach's side was the spitting image of Ross Fuller. The features were distinctively clear, and like Trey, her features had the Fuller print stamped all over them.
“Go get Noah and Randolph quick!” Leigh whispered to Jenna. “They're still in the study.”
Leigh placed her hand over her heart, not sure how much excitement she could take. Knowing that as hostess she had to bring order back to the party, she began crossing the room to her son and the woman with him.
 
Anna nervously glanced up at Zach when the room became deathly quiet. “This may not have been such a good idea,” she said, grabbing hold of his hand.
He leaned over and whispered, teasingly, “Just think of how dull the party must have been before we arrived.” He had seen the shocked look on Julia Fuller's face and didn't have any pity for the woman.
He saw his mother walk toward them at the same time his father and Randolph Fuller came out of his father's study. He turned to Anna. “Here they come. Just let me handle the introductions.”
She nodded nervously, tightening her hold on his hand. “All right.”
He turned when his father reached them with Randolph Fuller at his side. His mother and Jenna Fuller quickly joined them. Everyone's eyes were on Anna.
Noah shifted his gaze from Anna to Zach and looked up at him, questioningly. “Who—who is this?”
Zach smiled widely. “Dad, Mom and Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. I'd like
all of you to meet Dr. Adrianna Ross-Fuller.” He then placed a hand on his father's shoulder. “Happy birthday, Dad.”
A light sheen of tears suddenly formed in Noah Wainwright's eyes. He glanced over at Randolph and saw tears had formed in his eyes as well. He looked back at his son and the woman by his side. Shock was evident on his face. “But how?”
Zach chuckled. “We'll talk in your office later, after the party is over.”
Noah nodded. He then returned his full attention to Anna, and taking her hand in his, he asked, “Do you know how long your uncle and I have been looking for you? You are the best birthday present I could ever receive. This is more than I could ever wish for. My prayers have been answered.”

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