Playing With Fire (23 page)

Minutes later Romeo pulled off Oberlin Road into the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church. The large stone structure was well lit from inside, light flowing from the stained glass windows to the outside. There were a number of cars in the parking lot and a number of people heading inside. Taryn looked at him curiously as he made his way to open the door for her, pulling her along by the hand. They hurried into the building, taking a flight of steps to the basement level of the building.

Inside, Malcolm stood waiting patiently for them. He grinned as he saw them approaching, reaching to wrap Taryn in a warm embrace. “Glad you could come, Taryn,” he said.

She tossed Romeo a quick look. “I still don't know what's going on,” she stated.

Malcolm nodded as he gripped her elbow and guided her toward one of many folding chairs that adorned the space, Romeo following close on their heels. “You'll understand in a minute,” he said as he gestured to a bone-thin white man who'd taken the podium at the front of the room.

“Good evening,” the man said, a smile blessing his face.

“Good evening,” everyone responded.

The man introduced himself, and as understanding flooded Taryn's body, she turned to stare at Romeo, who was watching her as intently.

When the man in front asked if anyone wanted to speak, Romeo was the first to raise his hand and come to his feet. Taryn watched as he made his way to the front of the room, a rush of heat coloring his warm complexion. She shifted to the edge of her seat as he began to speak, Malcolm's broad hand gently patting her against the back.

“My name's Lawrence and I'm an alcoholic,” Romeo started.

“Hello, Lawrence,” the room chimed.

Romeo's gaze met Taryn's as he continued. “I've been sober for one hundred days now.”

Everyone in the room clapped and Romeo smiled shyly as he pressed on. “I've always known I had a problem with my drinking, but I refused to admit to myself just how bad that problem actually was. I realized I hit rock bottom when I threw a punch at the woman I love. I thank God that I was so drunk that I missed, but I hate that I allowed myself to get so intoxicated that I would even think to hurt her that way.” Romeo swiped the back of his hand across his brow as he paused. “When I sobered up I had to take a long hard look at myself and I made a decision about the type of man I wanted to be. I knew that I didn't want the woman I loved or the children I hope she and I will have together to ever see me like that.” Romeo's gaze drifted around the room, moving quickly from one face to another before settling back on Taryn. “It's not easy. I live this one day at a time. But love can be a powerful motivator for change. I stopped drinking because not only do I love my woman and the future I know we can have together, but I also love myself as well.”

As Romeo moved back to his chair, the room clapped again. When he took his seat, Malcolm shook his hand and nodded his approval, a wide smile gleaming across his face. Taryn reached for his hand and held it, her fingers pressed tightly against his.

 

 

Romeo pulled his car into Taryn's driveway. Glancing in the mirror on the visor, he checked his appearance, pulling a moist finger across his eyebrows. Taking a deep breath, he stepped from the car and padded his way to the front door. Behind the wooden structure, he could hear Taryn calling out to him, telling him to come on inside.

“I'm in my office,” she announced as he stepped inside the marble foyer, calling out hello.

“Hi,” Romeo greeted, leaning to press his lips to hers as he kissed her hello.

“Hello,” Taryn responded, rising from the leather seat in front of her large oak desk. “You're early.”

Romeo shook his head. “Sorry. Just anxious.”

“That's okay. I was just putting stamps on these letters. Figured we could drop them into the mailbox on our way out.” She gestured with the stack of legal-sized envelopes in her hand.

Romeo twitched nervously in place, his eyes darting back and forth around the room. “You switched out your artwork,” he noted, his gaze resting on a new painting behind her desk.

Taryn's gaze followed his. “I was tired of looking at the other stuff. I needed a change. Are you ready to go?”

Romeo inhaled deeply. He nodded his head slowly, reaching to wrap his arms around Taryn's shoulders. “I'm nervous.”

“Why?”

He shrugged, not bothering to respond.

“You don't have to do this, Romeo,” she said, looking at him intently.

He stared back at her. “Yes,” he responded, “I do. I have to do this. I have to do it for myself and I have to do it for us.”

Returning his hug, Taryn held him tightly. Pulling away from him, she squeezed his hand, her eyes caressing the lines of his face. Then she led him out of the room, down the hall, and to his car.

Counseling had not been anything that Romeo had seen coming. He and Taryn had braved and weathered many a storm since making the decision to speak to a licensed professional about their problems. For the past eight weeks, the issues that had risen between them had not been what either had expected, but the resulting answers and final resolutions had been welcomed.

Dr. Margaret Bailey glanced from one to the other as they sat side by side on her office sofa. Taryn twisted a damp tissue tightly between her fingers as Romeo sat anxiously tapping his foot, his knee bobbing up and down against the edge of the couch.

“How does what you just heard make you feel, Romeo?” the woman asked, staring directly at the man.

Glancing up, Romeo looked first at Dr. Bailey, then at Taryn, before allowing his gaze to fall back on the doctor. The woman's shoulder-length dreadlocks swayed easily against her full face, accentuating her umber-toned complexion. He cleared his throat nervously, the beat of his tapping foot and bobbing knee increasing.

“It scares me,” he started, his eyes dropping down into his lap. “It makes me wonder.... If I could do something like that, then what else am I capable of doing? I have to question what kind of monster I could be.”

The two women sat silent as they allowed him to continue to speak. Romeo seemed to struggle with his thoughts as he searched for the words to express his emotions.

“I could never imagine doing anything that would hurt Taryn. Never. But knowing that I actually threw a punch at her kills me. It literally rips at my heart whenever I think about it.”

“Do you understand why Taryn is scared?”

He nodded. “I do. I'm scared. But I can't take what I did back. I want to make amends for it, though. I love Taryn. She's my life.”

The doctor nodded. “Taryn, do you understand that Romeo has an illness? And that it's a condition he will have to battle for the rest of his life?”

“I do. I realize that when he drinks, the alcohol affects his behavior, and that he's not in control of himself. But I also know that he has the power to decide whether he's going to let that control go or not. What I have been struggling with is trusting that he won't make the wrong decision if things ever get rough again.”

Romeo turned toward Taryn. “No one will ever understand what it feels like to lose control and have no memory of it unless they've been through it themselves. Knowing that I almost put my hands on you, and that I was verbally abusive to you, and that I can't remember it, tears me up. It does, Taryn. It literally makes me sick to my stomach to think that I could do something so foul and hurt you like that. But knowing that I did gives me the motivation to do anything I have to, whatever it takes, to make sure it never happens again. Anything.”

“Would you give up the bar? You have to face that temptation every day. That can't be easy.” As Taryn asked the question, she could see the answer in his eyes.

Romeo paused, tossing her question around in his mind. Reaching out for her hand, he pulled it toward him. “If you wanted me to give up the club, I would. But being at the bar just reinforces my commitment to stay sober. I don't crave the drink. It's not like I see scotch and I want scotch. With me, the scotch eased the hurt of things that were bothering me. I thought it made crap tolerable when things got rough. It was like a necessary bandage. I understand now that the scotch isn't what I need. What I need is to face my problems head on and deal with them. I need to talk things out and not let them well up inside.”

The doctor let them both mull over Romeo's comments before she interjected. “Taryn,” she asked, “would you ask Romeo to give up his club?”

Looking him in the eye, Taryn smiled faintly, then shook her head. “No. This is about trusting him to do right. If I trust him, then I trust that no matter where he is, he's not going to drink because he knows what can happen to him if he does. I trust that he will make the right decisions, not only for himself, but for me as well.” She reached out her palm and gently stroked the top of Romeo's hand. “I love him,” she concluded, “and I trust him.”

Romeo smiled, then leaned to kiss Taryn's face. He pressed the black of his complexion next to hers, resting the round of his cheek against her skin.

Dr. Bailey smiled at the two of them as she reached for her desk calendar. “I would like to schedule our next session in four weeks. I don't think the two of you need to meet with me weekly anymore unless you would feel better doing so. Let's get together in a month, see how things are progressing, and then take it from there.”

Taryn nodded in the woman's direction. “Thank you, Dr. Bailey.”

The doctor directed her next comment at Romeo. “You should continue attending your AA meetings on a regular basis. They're a great support system and it would seem that your sponsor is serving you well.”

“He's great,” Romeo said, speaking warmly about Malcolm. “I couldn't have asked for a better friend.”

Dr. Bailey looked down at her watch. “Well, you two take care, and if you need me before next month, please don't hesitate to call.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Romeo and Taryn chimed in unison, before heading out the door hand in hand.

Taryn rang the doorbell and waited patiently for Romeo to let her inside.

Pulling open the door, he smiled widely. “Hey, you! Why didn't you use your key?”

Taryn kissed him on the cheek and eased past him. “Hi. I didn't want to just let myself in. That would have been rude.”

Romeo closed the door, then hugged her. “This is your home too. You know I don't have any problems with you just letting yourself in whenever you want.”

As he held her close, Taryn's body trembled at the memory of his body covering hers. She felt the familiar tingle dancing through her midsection. “So, what were you doing?” she asked, shaking the wave of emotion as she pulled away from him.

“I was upstairs, reading.”

Taryn nodded her head. “Anything good?”

“Just a
Sports Illustrated
magazine. Nothing heavy.”

The duo stood anxiously in the foyer. “Why don't we go on in,” Romeo started, heading for the back of the house.

“No. Not yet,” Taryn answered, her gaze dropping to the marble floor as she dug an imaginary hole with the toe of her ballet shoe.

“What's the matter, Taryn?” Romeo asked, moving back to her side. “You seem nervous.”

Taryn stared up at him, taking a deep breath before she spoke. “I quit my job,” she said, blowing her words and a gust of air out quickly.

Romeo raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Quit? Why?”

Taryn took another deep breath. “I decided I didn't want to travel anymore. I just want . . .” She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. “I just want to be home. I want to be home with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Romeo, I love you. I want to be a part of whatever you're a part of. With you running both the Playground and Amber House, you're going to need help. I want to be that help.” Taryn laughed nervously. “I also put my house on the market,” she said. “I'm going to need a place to live.”

Romeo pulled Taryn's hands into his, drawing her closer to him. He kissed her, his hands snaking back to curve possessively around her. “I love you so much,” he gushed. “Marry me, Taryn. I asked you once, and you said yes. Then I screwed up. I want that behind us. So, I'm asking you again. Please, baby. Will you marry me?”

The man dropped down onto one knee, pressing his lips into the palm of her hand. He looked up, his eyes pleading as he waited for her to answer. Taryn laughed, then nodded her head yes, tears welling in her eyes.

Rising back to his feet, Romeo pulled her close, kissing her passionately. Sheer joy burst through both of them and Taryn pulled away, breathless.

“We can sell this house too, if you want,” Romeo said. “Buy something else together. Whatever you want to do.”

Taryn shook her head. “No. I love this house. I want to raise our children in this house. This is our home.”

Romeo kissed her again, his hands racing up the length of her body. “I love you, Taryn,” he whispered, his lips murmuring sounds of want against her skin. “I love you so much. And, baby, I want you so bad. I've missed making love to you, Taryn.”

Taryn smiled coyly, then reaching for his hand, she pulled him along behind her, heading up the stairs to the master bedroom. Inside, she turned around to face him, easing just a hint of distance between them. Her gaze was locked with his and he could feel himself falling into the depths of it. Heat coursed through every nerve ending of his body as he watched her, her body moving seductively to the lull of music that played on the sound system in the distance. She slowly undid the row of buttons that ran the length of her silk blouse, pausing after each one. The lines of a yellow satin bra peeked from behind the fabric as she slowly began to reveal soft brown skin that seemed to beg to be touched. Romeo gasped loudly, clenching his fists at his side. Blood surged like a tidal wave below his waist, carving the muscles of his manhood into solid stone. As she stepped out of her clothes, standing seductively before him, his eyes drifted over her naked form, recalling the curves and angles that he had been hungering for. The heat between them was consuming, sending a shiver of energy up his spine as he stripped quickly out of his own clothes.

Taryn looked at him hungrily, standing naked before him as he gazed at her with deep appreciation. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as he moved against her, brushing the back of his fingers against the flat of her stomach. A smile played over his lips as his fingertips danced against her skin. Taryn melted under his touch, falling back against the mattress top as he eased his own body on top of hers. From the speakers in the wall, an alto saxophone blew a ballad around the room as Romeo loved her slowly, as if it were their very first time.

 

 

Taryn had been the first to notice the roses budding on the bushes that lined the rear yard. She'd headed eagerly into the gardens, wanting to explore the explosion of new plant life the spring winds had ushered in. Ivy crept up and over foundations of rock and the trunks of some fallen trees. The multitude of tulip and daffodil bulbs she had planted in the fall were springing to life, the rise of flora painting color against the landscape. She had carved gardens out of the raw land, laying lines of growing color like a painter on a blank canvas. Romeo had marveled at how easily she'd seeded life into the shades of green that now blanketed the landscape, adding color to a backdrop of dry dirt and blue sky. He considered it a blessing beneath their feet as they sometimes walked the land around the property.

From the rear window, Romeo stood staring at her. Dressed in a pair of torn denim jeans and one of his oversized T-shirts, she meandered comfortably through the yard. The cotton fabric swallowed her body whole, hiding her figure beneath the thin folds. He smiled as he watched her pull weeds from the new flower beds. When she brushed a gloved hand through her hair, he noted the mark of dark earth that remained against her forehead.

Reaching for the telephone, he remained fixated on watching her, not wanting to miss anything. As if she could sense his gaze upon her, Taryn shifted her attention in his direction, smiled, and then waved at him excitedly. He waved back as the telephone rang in his ear.

“Thank you for calling Giovanni's. How may I help you?” The woman who answered had a pleasant voice, a soft lilt with a faint Italian accent.

“Yes, I'd like to make a dinner reservation.”

“For when, sir?”

“Tonight, around seven, if that's possible.”

He could sense the woman hesitating as she scanned her reservation book. She cleared her throat before responding. “We're pretty well booked for this evening, sir. May I ask how many of you will be dining?”

“There will only be two of us.”

Romeo could feel her nodding her head into the receiver. “Would eight be too late for you?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Wonderful. May I have your name?”

“Marshall. Romeo Marshall.”

The woman gasped. “Romeo, how are you? This is Mrs. Donato, Angelo's mother,” the woman said warmly, referring to her oldest child and Romeo's former classmate. The two had played football together in high school.

“Oh, my goodness, Mrs. Donato. What a surprise! I'm doing well, thank you. How are you?”

“My son works me too hard. You'd think he'd let his old mother retire.”

“Business must be good then.”

“Exceptional. You know Angelo has four restaurants now,” she said proudly.

“Yes, ma'am. That's wonderful.”

“He'll be so excited when I tell him you called. He's working this evening so you'll be able to see him.”

Romeo smiled. “I look forward to it.”

“You come any time. We will have a table ready for you. Okay?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Donato. I appreciate that. We should be there between seven-thirty and eight.”

“Wonderful. We'll see you then.”

As Romeo placed the receiver back onto the hook, Taryn came in from outside, dropping her gardening gloves and utensils to the counter. She leaned up to kiss the spot beneath his chin.

“Who were you talking to?”

“I made dinner reservations for us. I thought we'd eat at Giovanni's tonight.”

“Giovanni's? You were able to get reservations?” she said, asking about the exclusive five-star restaurant with its upscale clientele and extensive waiting list.

“I know the management,” he said smugly, reaching out a palm and gently caressing the side of her face. He glanced at the watch on his wrist. “We should probably go get ready,” he said. “I told Mrs. Donato we'd be there sometime after seven-thirty.”

Taryn nodded. “Very nice. I hope I have something in your closet to wear. Otherwise we may have to run by my house so I can get dressed.”

Romeo shook his head. “Not a problem. In fact, I've already taken care of it.”

Taryn looked at him curiously. Before she could ask, he chuckled softly. “I bought you something,” he said, gesturing up the stairs with his eyes. “It's on the bed.”

Taryn smiled excitedly, a wide grin spreading across her face. “What did you do?” she asked, grabbing his hand and pulling him along behind her. As they traversed the stairway, Romeo shrugged, playfully ignoring her question. Entering the bedroom, he smiled, delighted at Taryn's excited expression when she caught sight of the large white box with the big red bow that lay against the mattress top.

She jumped excitedly on top of the bed, shrieking with glee. Taryn loved surprises and gifts, and never held her enthusiasm back. Her genuine expressions of gratitude and excitement were one of those things Romeo loved about her. She loved presents and enjoyed receiving them with a youthful exuberance that made the presenter feel good about the gesture, no matter how small. He also loved that she relished giving presents with the same fervor, her enthusiasm infectious.

Taryn pulled the bow from around the cardboard container and lifted the lid. As she tore at the folds of tissue paper inside, Romeo could not help but laugh. Glancing up at him, Taryn laughed with him, as she continued to unfold the inner contents. She stopped short when the silk dress was exposed. Lifting it up from the box, she gasped loudly.

“Romeo, it's beautiful,” she said, holding the garment against her chest. The Nicole Miller cocktail dress was an off-the-shoulder design in deep green shantung silk. As he'd anticipated, the color was incredible against her complexion and Romeo found himself as excited at the prospect of seeing it on her as she was about wearing it. Her appreciation exploded across her face as she pressed herself into his arms.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

He hugged her tightly. “No,” he responded. “Thank you.”

Taryn leaned her head against his chest. “What are you thanking me for?”

“You gave me a second chance. You believed in me and you entrusted me with your heart. I'll never be able to tell you how much that means to me. But I'll spend the rest of our lives trying to show you.”

Their eyes locked as Taryn stared up at him. He held her close, his large hands tracing a path against her back, his fingers pressing lightly into her flesh. She reveled in his touch, the warmth of his body filling hers. When he leaned to press his mouth against hers, Taryn could feel her rising desire coursing through her bloodstream.

Letting her go, Romeo held her at arm's length, studying her with reverent intensity. “When I feel empty, Taryn, I think about you. I think about loving you, and laughing with you, and being with you, and suddenly I am so full that my heart feels like it's about to burst. It's an amazing sensation.”

Pulling her close again, Romeo held her, not wanting to let go, and when they finally found their way to the restaurant, eight o'clock had come and gone.

 

 

Romeo and Taryn's daily strolls around the subdivision had become routine. As they made their way hand in hand, they'd occasionally stop to speak to one of the neighbors or to admire the richness of the landscape around them. Romeo had come to relish the moments he and Taryn shared walking as if they had nothing else to do. Sometimes they walked in the early morning, enjoying the warmth of a rising sun. At other times, they'd walk just as the rise of dusk was coming into its own, kissing the fullness of the day good-bye. It was a time of reflection for them both and they felt blessed to be able to focus on nothing but the quiet that existed between them.

As they rounded the last curve, the lines of their home coming into view, Taryn cleared her throat. She pressed Romeo's fingers between her own, squeezing tightly onto his hand.

“I need you, Romeo,” she said softly, the words falling like an easy breeze past her lips. “I need you.” The simplicity of her statement held more merit than any lengthy dissertation. The emotion behind her enunciation had weight, falling squarely against his broad shoulders, and he accepted its potential willingly.

Taryn continued, staring out into the distance as she spoke. “I have financial security. I'm a strong, independent woman. I've had an amazing career. There's no challenge that I haven't been able to meet, and meet successfully. And there is nothing that I couldn't do for myself if I needed to. But, I need you. I need you just as much as I want you.” She sighed as she squeezed his hand again, raising her other arm to wrap her fingers around his bicep.

Romeo pulled the back of her hand to his lips, kissing the flesh gently. He said nothing as they continued to walk, making their way to the end of the driveway. The words caught in his throat, his response expressed with the tears that dripped past his lashes.