“What the hell is going on here?” Karla demanded.
“Sophia bolted like a bat out of hell the minute the doorbell rang.”
“Long story,” Sandra muttered.
“Derrick is bringing in James Brown as a partner, and Sophia didn’t take the news well at all. That’s him at the door. He’s coming over to meet everyone. We invited Sophia earlier so Derrick could tell her in private, and she freaked. Like really freaked. She said some pretty harsh things. To me.”
Karla’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
Sandra nodded.
“Derrick was pissed. Extremely pissed. He basically threatened to fire her if she didn’t apologize and he told her if she ever came at me like that again he’d fire her on the spot.”
“Wow,” Karla breathed.
“Not that I don’t agree with him protecting you, but wow.”
“Yeah. My thoughts exactly.”
Karla grabbed the tray as Sophia reentered the kitchen, as though she’d come over to help.
“Grab the wine, Sophia,” Karla said cheerfully.
“We’ll go serve up Sandra’s yum-yums to the menfolk.”
Her pretend obliviousness to the entire situation almost fooled even Sandra.
Sophia looked like a deer in the headlights, but there was no way for her to object without making a scene.
She sighed but took the wine bottle from the table and followed Karla into the living room.
Sandra was only a few feet behind and she immediately went to greet James, wanting to make him as comfortable as possible since it was obvious Sophia wasn’t going to be as welcoming.
James kissed her on both cheeks and smiled warmly at her.
“Has Derrick introduced you to everyone?” Sandra asked.
“Everyone but Sophia and Karla.”
She took his hand, pulling him toward where the other two women stood.
James looked befuddled while Derrick smiled at Sandra taking charge.
“Ladies, I want you to meet James Brown, Derrick’s new partner. James, these are my two best friends, Karla and Sophia.”
“I’m her sister-in-law,” Sophia said pointedly.
“I’m very pleased to meet you both, but especially you, Sophia. I’ve heard much about you. Derrick says you’re indispensable at the office. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
Sophia flushed at the praise and ducked her head, not meeting James’s gaze directly.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” she said stiffly.
Sophia extended her hand to shake James’s and he pulled it up as he’d done with Sandra the night before and brushed a kiss over the back.
Then he pointedly extended his hand to Sophia and when she reluctantly took it, he pulled hers up as well, but he was much slower to lower it once he’d kissed hers.
Sophia snatched her hand away as though she’d been burned and tucked it protectively behind her back.
If James noticed her reaction he didn’t show it.
His smile was bland and he didn’t so much as blink.
“How long have you known Derrick?” Karla asked curiously.
Trust Karla never to miss a beat.
She was an absolute charmer, and it looked as though James was enchanted with her.
Who wouldn’t be?
Was it any wonder Ken was so forbiddingly possessive of her?
But Derrick had said he shared Karla with other men.
Sandra still couldn’t wrap her brain around it.
Even now Ken was watching intently, taking in James’s reaction to his wife.
Though he was across the room, his gaze never left Karla, and he’d frowned when James had kissed her hand.
He was broodingly watching the interaction between James and all the women.
Though Derrick was conversing with Ken, Ken’s focus wasn’t on Derrick.
It was squarely on Karla.
Karla was a born flirt.
Vivacious.
Beautiful.
She never met a stranger, and her laughter was infectious.
Sandra had always been envious of her confidence and her outgoing personality.
Sandra was quieter and more reserved than Karla.
But Clement had never minded.
He’d adored Sandra’s shyness.
Had been delighted that he was her first lover.
He’d told her how much it meant to him that she’d waited.
For him.
Sandra shook her thoughts from Clement.
She hadn’t thought of him all day.
Not until Sophia had thrown her dead husband in her face.
And now he dominated her thoughts and it was the last thing she wanted.
Not when she was in Derrick’s home acting as his hostess.
Something she’d done for Clement any number of times.
But these people were her friends.
Yes, she’d only just met James, but she’d warmed instantly to him.
He was quiet and brooding.
He’d intimidated her at first glance, but he’d quickly made her feel at ease, and he’d been understanding of Sophia’s feelings. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Even now he didn’t seem to take her reaction to him personally.
He stood there conversing politely, seemingly oblivious to Sophia’s obvious discomfort.
“Excuse me,” Sandra said.
She walked over to where Derrick stood with Ken, and Ken smiled warmly at her, pulling her into a quick hug and pressing an affectionate kiss to her cheek.
“Hey, darlin’. Long time no see.”
She smiled back at him.
“You need to stop being such a stranger, Ken. Work keeping you busy these days? I swear it’s been forever since I’ve seen you.”
His eyes twinkled.
“I’d hardly think you’d notice my absence. It appears Derrick has been keeping you pretty occupied lately.”
She blushed to the roots of her hair as both men laughed.
Ken reached for her hand and squeezed it warmly.
“I’m happy for you, sweetheart. You deserve happiness, and Derrick is just the man to make it happen for you. I wish you both the best.”
Her face still flaming, she glanced shyly at Derrick before returning her attention to Ken.
What had Derrick told Ken about her?
Or maybe Karla had been the one to share the details of her relationship with Derrick.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely.
“Derrick makes me happy.”
Derrick’s face softened at her words and Ken smiled gently.
“You deserve to be happy, darlin’. And you won’t find a better man than Derrick.”
“I know,” she said quietly.
Then remembering why she’d come over, she glanced back up at Derrick.
“The steaks are ready to go on the grill. Everything else is ready. Potatoes are in the oven, and they’ll be ready by the time you take the steaks up. You guys can head back to the grill. I’ll make drinks or there’s beer and wine. Whatever y’all want.”
Derrick leaned down to kiss her forehead and then cupped her face in a gentle caress.
“Thanks, honey. I’ll round up Ken and James, and we’ll go do our manly duty. Everything going okay with Sophia?”
His gaze searched hers intently, looking for any signs of upset.
Sandra nodded.
“She’s not very comfortable around James, but we expected that. He can be very . . . intimidating. Just the type of man who’d put Sophia on edge.”
Ken grimaced.
“This is going to be hard for her. I hate it but she has to put her past behind her at some point. She can’t continue to let it rule her present and future. I’m glad you stuck to your guns, Derrick. She needs that.”
Derrick nodded his agreement as his expression darkened.
He glanced in Sophia’s direction, his frown deepening.
“She was out of line for lashing out at Sandra the way she did. That I won’t allow. She can say whatever she wants to me, but I’ll be damned if she pulls that shit with Sandra.”
Sandra’s heart warmed all over again.
She pressed into Derrick’s side and tipped her head up to kiss him on the mouth.
He seemed surprised and then delighted at her spontaneous show of affection.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“It means a lot that you’d stick up for me the way you did.”
He put a finger underneath her chin, tipping it upward to meet his steady gaze.
“Always, honey. I’ll never allow anyone to hurt you. Count on that.”
She smiled and then shooed him toward the kitchen.
“If y’all don’t get the meat on, we’ll never eat. We’re hungry!”
Laughing, Derrick headed in James’s direction, Ken following behind.
After a moment the three men disappeared into the kitchen, and Sandra heard the door to the patio open and then shut as they went out to tend the grill.
Noticing Sophia’s and Karla’s wineglasses were nearly empty, she went to fetch a bottle and refilled theirs as well as hers.
She motioned for them to sit and get comfortable, knowing they had half an hour before the steaks were ready.
It was just like old times, only Clement wasn’t there.
He was the only missing component, and now there was James, filling that void.
It would never be the same, and for the first time Sandra felt optimistic about that fact.
No, nothing would ever be the same, but it was certainly possible that it would be better.
AS if knowing how trying the evening had been for Sandra and how emotionally fragile she was, Derrick made love to her so tenderly that she was overcome.
Afterward, he pulled her to him, binding their wrists as he’d done previously and then cradled her in his arms, her head pillowed on his shoulder.
She loved the intimacy of the act.
Of being bound to him.
It was more than just a physical binding.
She felt connected to him on a much deeper level.
One she welcomed and savored with her entire heart.
She fell into a deep sleep, contented and sated, and yet when her dreams came, they were disturbing.
Clement was there, smiling at her, holding out his hand.
Derrick was on the other side, standing with his heart in his eyes.
The voice inside her head told her to choose.
That if she had the choice of having Clement back or remaining with Derrick, which would she pick?
She frowned even in sleep, her forehead creasing in pain.
How could she make such a choice?
She’d always said she’d do anything to have Clement back.
But now it wasn’t so simple.
Now she had Derrick.
She was caught in the middle of two men she cared about, each pulling her in a different direction.
The dream didn’t make sense.
She couldn’t have Clement back, so why was she being tormented with the choice?
And yet each man was demanding she decide.
Clement’s smile faltered and sadness entered his eyes.
His hand dropped, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
But Derrick didn’t look triumphant.
He looked tortured, as though he’d do anything in the world to spare Sandra the pain she faced.
Derrick turned away from her, making her decision for her, but that wasn’t what she wanted.
Still, she didn’t reach for Clement.
She remained standing, frozen with the impossibility of the task before her.
How could she choose?
Her past or her present?
Her future?
Clement was dead.
She couldn’t—wouldn’t—betray Derrick’s faith in her.
Even in her dreams, she wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.
Her heart in pieces, she watched helplessly as Clement turned, slowly fading away, becoming transparent, the look on his face slashing her open, leaving her bleeding on the inside.
“I’m sorry, Clement. I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, warm against the coolness of her skin.
Derrick watched her in the darkness, helplessness gripping him.
She was fighting her demons even in sleep and he was powerless to do anything about it.
Worse, she was crying for her dead husband, apologizing to him.
For what?
For cheating on him?
For betraying his memory as Sophia had accused her of?
Did Derrick ever have a hope of winning her heart or would a dead man forever own it?
He silently untied the sash binding their wrists together and this time it was he who turned away, putting his back to her.
And again, sleep eluded him.
He lay there, fighting his own demons while Sandra battled hers, just inches away and a world apart all at the same time.
Sandra awakened the next morning feeling emotionally wrung out from her troubled, upsetting dreams.
She automatically reached for him, needing the comfort he offered, a shelter from the emotional turmoil of her dreams.
To her surprise not only was her wrist no longer bound to his, but he wasn’t in bed.
She struggled to sit up, brushing back her hair so she could see.
Across the room Derrick stood in front of the dresser buttoning the sleeves to his dress shirt.
His expression was solemn, as if he were deep in thought.
“Derrick?”
His name came out shaky and soft, but he heard her and turned immediately, his expression indecipherable.
“I have to be in early this morning,” he said in a neutral tone.
“There’s a lot to do before James’s partnership is announced. I’m not sure how late I’ll be but I’ll call to let you know when I’m on my way home.”
Her brow furrowed.
His mood was the same as it had been the previous morning when she hadn’t been able to discern what was bothering him.
And it was evident that something was.
She may be an open book when it came to her emotions, but Derrick was similar in that she only had to look into his eyes to know if something was off.
And for the second morning, he wasn’t his usual, loving self.
He didn’t even come to the bed to kiss her, and she felt too self-conscious to get out of bed to go to him.
She was too afraid he’d reject her and so she remained where she was, studying him from underneath her lashes.
“Be careful,” she said quietly.
“I’ll look forward to you coming home. Shall I cook dinner for us tonight?”
“Whatever you like,” he said indifferently.
“We can eat out if you prefer.”
“I’ll cook,” she said firmly, wanting to do something to please him.
He nodded and then turned back, collecting his watch and wallet and car keys.
She waited for him to kiss her.
For him to offer a sweet word.
For him to tell her he’d miss her.
Anything.
Something.
But he simply collected his belongings and strode toward the door, leaving her in bed, her lips parted in surprise.
She flopped back onto the pillow, staring up at the ceiling.
What the hell was going on?
What was with his Jekyll and Hyde act?
It was exhausting trying to keep up with his mood swings.
She’d been nothing but honest and open with him at every turn, and yet he was holding back from her?