Deadly Satisfaction (14 page)

“Good morning,” he said.

She did her best to smile. “Good morning.”

Phillip looked down at her hands. “Come on.” He led her to the edge of the bed and helped her sit down. He took the panties from her hand, lifted her feet, and pulled the underwear up her legs. He placed the pad in the center of her panties. “I'm not sure how this works, but if you guide me, I can help.”

Donetta burst into a flood of tears. She didn't know if it was because of the throbbing pain between her legs, the ringing she felt in her head, or the gentle way Phillip had just treated her, but what she did know was that she felt completely safe and loved. “I'm sorry, Phillip,” Donetta sobbed.

“Shhhh.” He put his finger to her lips. “You don't have anything to be sorry about. It's okay, I'm here for you.”

Donetta pulled herself together long enough to secure her pad in place, then Phillip helped her get back in bed. He tucked the comforter around her body and kissed her forehead again. “Do you need to take anything?”

Donetta shook her head. “I already took some medicine . . . and it's starting to make me feel drowsy.”

“Close your eyes and rest. I'm going to get dressed and head out because I have to pick my sister up from the airport this morning.”

The last thing Donetta remembered was Phillip telling her to rest. She closed her eyes and was sound asleep within seconds.

P
HILLIP

A
t first Phillip didn't know what to think when he saw Donetta standing in front of her dresser looking as if she'd just finished a long day at work. He'd been sleeping soundly until he'd heard her crying out in the bathroom. It had taken him a minute to gather himself, and by the time he'd propped himself up on his elbows, Donetta was walking out of the bathroom. Right away he'd known something was wrong. The gate of her stride was different, her straight shoulders were hunched, and her back was bent. He watched in silence as she reached into her dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of panties. But when he looked at her other hand and saw what he knew was a sanitary pad, he realized that she'd come on her period.

Growing up in a house with two women whom he was very close to, and having countless women in and out of his life, Phillip was well-acquainted with the discomfort, and in some cases, agony, that accompanied a women's menstrual cycle. It was one of the reasons he was glad he was a man, because he didn't think he could go through what he saw as torture every month.

He could see the pain on Donetta's face, and all he'd wanted to do was take care of her. He'd helped her get situated as best he could before tucking her in bed. The next thing he knew she was fast asleep. He looked at the clock on Donetta's nightstand and noted that he still had an hour before he needed to leave to pick Lauren up from the airport. He walked over to the other side of the bed and found his pants, shirt, and blazer lying on the floor where he'd left them. He smiled as he dressed, thinking about last night, or actually, early this morning.

After he'd kissed Donetta in the lobby at the hotel, he'd known right then that he was finally ready for what his mother had talked to him about earlier that day. He was ready for a real, committed, grownup relationship, and he wanted it with Donetta. He wanted to build something with her and watch it grow. Her lips had felt soft and perfect, and when he'd held her in his arms he'd known that was where she belonged, with him.

Twenty-five minutes later he'd found himself parking his rental car behind hers in her driveway and then he'd followed her into her house. The only light inside had come from a pendant in her kitchen, but even in the darkness he could tell that Donetta's home was tastefully decorated. An aromatic smell filled the air and tickled his nose.

“Listen,” she'd said. “I know when you suggested that we get a room at the hotel I said we should come here, but don't get it twisted.”

He smiled. “What is it that you don't want me to twist?”

“Phillip, I'm serious. I don't want you to think that I bring strange men over to my house when I first meet them.”

“I know that you don't.”

“Good, because it's the honest truth.”

“I know that the reason I'm here is because I'm different. I'm special.”

She shook her head and folded her arms. “And what makes you so sure?”

“Because you're different, and special. What you and I are experiencing with each other is rare, and I'm glad we're both open and honest enough to put our fears aside so we can deal with it.”

Donetta was silent.

“This is the first time I've ever talked to anyone the way I'm talking to you. Donetta, we have a real connection going on between us, and I'm ready to see where whatever is happening between us can go. That's not a come-on, or a mack move, it's the simple truth. And I promise you that as long as we're together, I'll always be honest with you.”

“Are you saying you want to have a relationship with me?”

Phillip didn't hesitate. “Yes.”

“We just met.”

“Yet I'm here, standing inside your home in the wee hours of the morning, prepared to take a chance on wherever this goes.”

“This is happening so . . . so fast.”

“Yes, it is, and that's why I know this is right for me. I've been cautious, taking my time with relationships my whole life. But I don't have any reservations about pursuing one with you. Are you having reservations about pursuing a relationship with me?”

Donetta inhaled deeply. “Phillip, I've made so many terrible mistakes in my life.”

“I understand, and so have I. But for me, it's not about what I've done or what has happened in my past, it's about what I see right here, right now. I'm not some twenty-something dude who's trying to live it up. I'm a man who wants more than I've ever had, and I'm willing to take a chance to get it.” Phillip had been amazed that he'd made himself so vulnerable to a woman he barely knew. In his experience it had usually been the other way around, but here he was, exposing his most intimate feelings, and it felt right.

He moved in close, pressing his hard body against her soft one. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her in even closer, and kissed her as he'd done at the hotel. Their passionate kisses turned into soft caresses. Their soft caresses gave way to gentle moans. And their gentle moans led them to Donetta's bedroom. Her blinds were still open, allowing the moon to fill the room with soft light. Phillip admired the sexy silhouette of her slender frame, and he counted himself lucky to be standing where he was, about to embark on what he knew was going to be an experience like no other.

“I'm a little nervous,” Donetta said.

“Please don't be. I know you've been hurt deeply, and I know how much it means that I'm standing here. Donetta, I promise you, I won't take that for granted and I won't abuse the honor. Your home is where you feel safe, and I want you to know that you're safe with me, too.”

She looked into his eyes and placed her arms around his neck, massaging his skin with her delicate fingers. Phillip loved the way it felt when she touched him, further proof to him that he was where he was supposed to be, doing exactly what he was doing. He tilted his head and kissed her slowly, rubbing his hands up and down her body. They took their time taking off each other's clothes. He admired her long, lean frame and the soft curves that made her look like a centerfold model. When he cupped her perfectly shaped breasts, she'd fidgeted. “I um . . . I had them done a year and a half ago,” she said.

Phillip had been able to tell as soon as he'd unhooked her bra that she either had implants or some type of augmentation surgery because he'd been with a few women who'd had both. And while cosmetically altered breasts didn't hold the same buoyancy and sensual jiggle that only Mother Nature could provide, they still served the same purpose as far as he was concerned, and he was looking forward to taking great pleasure in Donetta's. He gently placed his hands over each of her breasts, slowly massaging them. “You're beautiful in every way,” he told her.

He kissed her again and slowly, they made their way over to her bed. He removed her peach colored lace panties and she slid off his black boxer briefs. They kissed, caressed, sucked, nibbled, and fondled, until Phillip couldn't take it anymore. He reached over to his pants on the floor and pulled a condom from his wallet. When he returned to the bed, he saw that Donetta was searching for something inside her nightstand. She pulled out a tube, which he could see was lubricant, but what had startled him were the other objects that caught his eye inside the drawer. Even with the hazy, indirect light, he'd been able to see that she had four or five vibrators lying inside.

She caught him looking at them. “I have them for a reason.”

“Most women do. But you won't need them tonight.”

Making love to Donetta had been tender, hot, exciting, and sexy. But more than anything, it had been a game changer for him, because it had been the first time Phillip had made love to someone whom he wanted to be in a relationship with.

Now, as Phillip stood beside Donetta's bed, watching her sleep peacefully, all he could think about was how right it felt to be with her. It had felt natural for him to help her the way he had moments ago. He looked at her again, studying the peaceful expression on her face as she slept. He felt bad that she'd been in so much pain, but he was glad she was getting some rest. He hoped she'd be feeling better by this afternoon so he could come over and spend time with her.

Phillip stood in place for a few moments, enjoying the silence. He looked up at the ceiling and smiled. “Wow,” he whispered. It had been dark when they'd come in during the wee hours of the morning, but now that it was daytime, he had the opportunity to take in his surroundings, and the first thing that stood out was the crystal-and-chrome chandelier hanging above. It was bold and glamorous, and he thought it fit Donetta's style perfectly. As he looked around, it was clear to see that she had given attention to detail in the way she'd decorated her home. The color scheme in her bedroom was a mixture of varying shades of grays, purples, and creams, all mixed in with metallic accents. Her large upholstered headboard was outlined with bold stitching and rich fabric, and her bedding was equally as elegant. When Phillip had drifted off to sleep after they'd made love, he remembered thinking that her bedsheets were the softest he'd ever lain under.

He was drawn from his thoughts when Donetta turned on her side and pulled the comforter up to her neck. He decided it was time to leave, and because it was still so early he had time to go back to his mother's house and freshen up before driving to the airport. He walked into the living room and stood for a moment, admiring the tasteful and stylish décor, just as he'd done in Donetta's bedroom. Even though her design and color palette was made up of bold colors that grabbed his attention, her home still felt cozy. Phillip walked around her living room, which was an open concept design, and saw that she had left food on her kitchen counter. He was about to store the turkey sausage and eggs in her refrigerator when an idea came to him.

Twenty minutes later, Phillip sat at Donetta's kitchen table eating breakfast. Instead of putting the food away, he'd sautéed the turkey sausage with seasonings from her pantry and made cheese omelets and toast. He quickly finished his meal and then washed and dried the dishes before putting them away. He sent Donetta a text letting her know that her breakfast was waiting on her in the microwave when she got up, and to call him later. Then he texted his mother, who he knew was more than likely still asleep with her hangover, and told her that he would pick up Lauren from the airport.

Phillip walked back to Donetta's bedroom and found her still resting comfortably, which put his mind a little more at ease because he was worried about her. He sat on the side of her bed and watched her sleep. He wondered if she had problems like this every month. He knew some women had difficulty with their periods, while others didn't. Her pain must have been bad because it had caused her to cry out while she'd been in the bathroom. He didn't think he was the cause of her bleeding—or at least he hoped he wasn't. Nothing like this had ever happened in the past after he'd made love to a woman.

He ran his hand gently over her hair, enjoying the softness of each strand that slipped through his fingers. It was amazing to him to think that of all the places to find love and of all the times, it had snuck up on him in his hometown, out of the blue. He stroked Donetta's hair again and smiled, but then she let out a painful-sounding groan. He waited a few minutes to see if she would do it again, but thankfully, she continued to sleep as soundly as she had before. He made a mental note to ask her about her health when he saw her later that afternoon. Then he gave her a soft kiss on her forehead and headed to the airport.

G
ENEVA

A
fter eating a large breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, home fries, freshly brewed coffee, and biscuits with strawberry jam, Geneva, Samuel, and her in-laws were all satisfied and full.

“Geneva, you outdid yourself,” Herbert said. “This breakfast was better than anything I could've ordered in a restaurant.”

“It was absolutely delicious,” Sarah complimented. “And you must give me your recipe for those biscuits. They melt in your mouth!”

Geneva smiled. “Thank you both.”

Samuel walked behind Geneva as she stood at the kitchen sink and he hugged her. “My baby can throw down.” He kissed her on her cheek. “Mom and Dad are right, everything was delicious. Thanks, baby.”

Geneva loved cooking, and it made her feel good to feed people a meal made with love, especially if it was her family members. But although she appreciated their gratitude and kind words, right now her mind was focused on something far more complex than bacon and eggs. She wanted to be alone with Samuel so she could tell him about the dream she'd had last night.

Even though her in-laws knew intimate details about Geneva's past with Johnny, having received information directly from her and Samuel, as well as from online articles during the time of the trial, Geneva didn't want to involve them in her worries about the dream she'd had and what it might possibly mean. She needed to think of a way to get them out of the room so she could talk privately with her husband.

When Gabrielle woke up, it gave Geneva the opportunity she'd been looking for.

“Look at my precious little granddaughter,” Sarah said. She walked over to Gabrielle and lifted her out of the playpen, kissed her on her chubby cheek, and cooed. “Did you get enough rest, my little sweetie pie?”

Gabrielle giggled and laughed as though she'd been given a new toy.

“She's probably ready for a changing after her morning nap,” Geneva said.

Sarah smiled. “Grandma's got that covered.”

“Maria usually takes her for a morning walk after her nap,” Geneva said, referring to their sitter who came to the house three days a week and took care of Gabrielle during the day while Geneva worked at the salon. “It's a beautiful fall morning, why don't you and Dad take her for a stroll?” Geneva suggested.

Herbert perked up. “We'd love to. Sarah and I go for a walk every morning, and now we'll be able to keep up our exercise routine while we enjoy our granddaughter.”

“Yes, this is perfect,” Sarah chimed in. “We'll take turns watching her while we shower and get dressed, and then we'll head out for a nice long walk around the neighborhood. But before we head upstairs, do you need help cleaning up the kitchen?”

Herbert nodded. “Two hands are better than one, and you've got four right here, willing to help.”

Geneva smiled. “No, Mom and Dad, don't worry about the kitchen. Enjoy this time with Gabrielle because I know it'll be a treat for you two as well as for her.”

Geneva watched as Samuel's parents walked upstairs with Gabrielle. Now she had to find a way to get Joe out of the room. Luckily, she didn't have to try to persuade him with anything because he had plans of his own.

Joe stretched his arms and yawned. “This is my vacation, so I'm gonna relax. I think I'll go back upstairs and take a nap so I can sleep off some of this food.” He rubbed his plump stomach and shuffled down the hall toward the stairs.

“Honey, can you help me with the dishes?” Geneva asked her husband. “I want to talk to you while we get this kitchen back in order.”

Samuel grabbed a kitchen towel and shook his head. Frustration was etched across his face.

“What's wrong?” Geneva asked.

“He saw all these dirty dishes in this kitchen, but unlike my parents, not once did he offer to help wash a single plate. And beyond that, he was the only one who didn't thank you for getting up early to cook us a delicious breakfast, yet he ate double what everyone else did.”

“You know how Joe is.”

“Yeah, I do, and it pisses me off. Whenever Joe does something rude or inconsiderate, or acts like a complete ass, like he did last night, everyone always says, ‘You know how Joe is.' I'm sick of it.”

Geneva knew that Joe got on Samuel's last nerve, as his brother did with most people, and they'd been adversaries since their days in the sandbox. But normally Samuel didn't let Joe get to him. Other than Geneva's late mother, Samuel was one of the most calm, easygoing people she'd ever known. But this morning he'd seemed irritated from the moment he'd come downstairs. Geneva knew her husband well, and she knew something was wrong. “Honey, are you okay?”

“It was a bad idea for Joe to come here. I tried to be okay with it, but I don't want him in our house.”

“I know you two have your issues, and you've never quite seen eye to eye. But it's the holidays and he's family, so try to tolerate him for the next two days. After that he'll be on a flight back to Maryland.”

“If I'd known he was planning to come, I would've told him to stay home, and I think he knows it. That's why he didn't tell me ahead of time.”

“He said he wanted to surprise you.”

“He fed our parents that same story, and asked them not to say anything, but I know he's lying through his teeth.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know my brother. He's a selfish bastard.”

Geneva nearly dropped the plate she was loading into the dishwasher. “Samuel! What's gotten into you?” She'd initially been focused on telling him about her dream, but now her concern had shifted to why her husband was so upset with his brother. Samuel rarely used harsh words, and the only time she could ever remember him cursing was during the time right before Johnny's murder, when Samuel had wanted to kill Johnny for causing the accident that had led to Geneva's miscarriage.

“Geneva, I want him out of this house. There are plenty of hotels in town with vacancies.”

“Honey, it's the holidays.”

Samuel looked at her as if to say,
So?

“Joe has always gotten on your nerves, but this is something different. Tell me what's going on.”

Samuel looked away from her. “I just want him out of here.”

“Samuel, please tell me what's wrong. What's the real reason you're so upset with Joe?”

After a pause filled with silence, Samuel let out a deep breath. “Let's sit down so we can talk,” he said as he led Geneva into the family room.

Geneva sat on the couch in the exact spot where she'd been sitting yesterday afternoon when she'd been speechless while listening to Vivana's interview, and now, she was speechless again as she listened to Samuel tell her the real reason he was so upset with his brother.