The sensation flowing through her body was a feeling she had never experienced before. Again and again, each time he entered her, the universe swirled above. His hands travel down to the small of her back bringing her body closer to his with a gentle force that made her explode out of control. Then he held her and whisper, “I love you into her ear.” Never in her life had Cynthia felt so fulfilled than that moment. She reached to palm his face between her hands and looked into the cinnamon brown eyes of Samuel. She sat straight up in her bed. Perspiration was dripping between her breasts, not to mention the wetness that seemed to appear between her legs. She reached up and wiped the perspiration from her face and looked around the room to make sure no one was there with her. The covers were thrown to the side as she got out of the bed and hurried into the bathroom. She stripped out of her teddy and stood under the shower.
How could she have been dreaming of Samuel when she has committed herself to LaVere’? Why would she not dream of him? He was the one that held her last night when her tears would not stop, not LaVere’. Thinking of him she wondered why he did not call her last night. Had Jamal neglected to give him the message? Was he having second thoughts about them? A more important question was, is she having second thoughts. This wasn’t good. She had to talk to Ashley about the turmoil that was called her life. She dressed quickly and ran downstairs. To her surprise sitting in her kitchen was Blake, not Samuel.
“Hey sis. Sleeping in late this morning I see.”
“Hey Blake,” she replied a little disoriented. “Where’s Samuel?”
“He called and asked me to come over. Said he had to pay a visit to someone.”
“At seven in the morning?”
“That’s what he said.”
“It’s better he’s not here. I need to talk to Ashley.”
“I don’t think you should be leaving the house until Samuel returns.”
“Okay, I tell you what, you sit here and wait for Samuel. Tell him I’ll be right back.”
Blake beat her to the door. “I don’t think so.”
“Blake this is very important. I have to talk to Ashley this morning.”
Seeing the determination in her face, he conceded. “Okay, but I’m driving.”
Cynthia stopped at the door and looked back at him. “Do you know how to drive?”
Frowning he replied, “Of course I know how to drive.”
“If you think about it, I’ve never seen you drive anything.”
“Get in the car.”
Fifteen minutes later she was knocking on Ashley’s door.
Clara, the housekeeper answered the door. “Good Morning, Ms. Cynthia. You are out and about early.”
“Good Morning Clara,” she replied rushing passed her. “Where is Ashley, is she upstairs?” Cynthia called back from the steps.
“Yes ma’am, they are still in bed,” Clara responded to a fleeting back.
Reaching the double doors of the bedroom suite at the top of the stairs, Cynthia knocked, “Ashley, I’m coming in.”
“Cynthia,” James said from under the comforter, “It better be your ghost in my bedroom at seven thirty in the morning.”
“James, I need to talk to Ashley alone. Do you mind?”
James sat up and looked at Cynthia as if she had lost her mind. “You have exactly thirty seconds to get the hell out of this room, before I strangle you with my bare hands.”
Cynthia walked around to the other side of the bed where Ashley had sat up. “I believe you tried with David Holt. Look where that got you. Ash, I’m in trouble,” she cried ignoring James.
“What’s going on?” Ashley asked in a concerned voice.
“I’m about to kill her,” James said as he threw the comforter back to get out of bed.
He stood with no shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms. “Damn James, I didn’t know you had all of that going on,” Cynthia said as she eyed his half-naked body up and down.
Ashley looked at James, then to Cynthia. “Would you mind taking your eyes off my husband?”
“Oh, sorry about that, but Ashley,” she said as she sat on the bed, “I need your advice.”
James leaned over and kissed his wife. “Good Morning,” he smiled at her. A smiled that disappeared once he looked towards Cynthia. “You would not have this problem if you did not go around sleeping in a bed with a man you are not committed too.” He smiled and walked out of the room with Cynthia’s mouth hanging open.
“Shut your mouth Cynthia, before something fly in. Now, what is this about a man and who is he?” Ashley asked.
Cynthia sighed, and laid her head on Ashley shoulders. “How did he find out about that?”
“I have no idea, but you can believe, if James knows so does LaVere’. Now, tell me what happened.”
Cynthia sat up and exhaled. “His name is Samuel. He was the person that helped me the night of the accident.” The accident that really wasn’t an accident, she thought, but did not say anything. She stood up and walked over to the window. She pushed the drapes aside and looked out. “I don’t know anything about this man except for the fact that since he’s been around I feel safe and protected. I even find myself laughing with him. It’s as if I lose sense of time. Time literally stands still when he is around. Ashley, I’m dreaming about him.” She released the drapes and turned to Ashley. “I have committed myself to a relationship with LaVere’ and to be honest, I’m so excited about it. Then I dream about Samuel and I don’t understand why.” She exhaled, “That’s a lie. I do know why. I’m horny as hell. That’s all it is.”
Ashley laughed. “That may be true; however, it sounds like it could be a little more than horniness.”
Cynthia shook her head, “It can’t be.”
“Why?” Ashley asked.
“Because I don’t know him.”
“But, you’ve slept with him. When and where?”
“Some things have been happening in my life and last night I sort of accidently fell asleep in his arms.”
James walked in the room with a tray filled with fruit and hot tea for Ashley and coffee for Cynthia. “Is that what it’s called these days’ accidents?”
She frowned at James as he placed the tray on the table in the sitting area. “James, this is a private conversation.”
“Cynthia, this is a private bedroom, mine.”
“James, babe would you check on the twins, then give us a few minutes.”
He looked at Cynthia then smile at his wife, “I’ll be in the shower.”
The ladies waited until the room was clear. “Cynthia,” Ashley smiled, “has it occurred to you that you may have feelings for this man?’
“I’m developing feelings for LaVere’’. I have spent the last two weeks getting to know him and I like him. I don’t know Samuel.”
“Does LaVere’ make time stop for you?”
The question took her by surprise. “I really like LaVere’. I have waited all of my life for a man that treats me like he does. I want him to be the one.”
It did not escape Ashley that Cynthia did not answer the question. But from experience she knew she was going to have to reach the conclusion on her own. It took James just about a year to realize she had captured his heart. Cynthia was a tough cookie when it came to feelings. She was a pro at hiding her true feelings when she wanted to. “Well, ignore Samuel and concentrate on your relationship with LaVere’.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“Ashley,” she sighed. “For the first time in my life, my mother is proud of me. She is actually spending time with me and I like it. I like having her attention. If I mess up with LaVere’, I’m going to lose that.”
Ashley saw tears develop in Cynthia’s eyes. Her heart went out to her friend. “You have to do what will make you happy, not what your mother wants. Frankly, if your mother’s love and attention is only because LaVere’ is in your life, then it will fade. It’s not real love. You deserve real love. Not a love you settle for or that has terms attached. Don’t settle Cynthia.”
They finished their breakfast and Cynthia apologized to James for intruding. After she left James sat in the chair Cynthia vacated and placed Ashley’s feet in his lap. “She is not in love with LaVere’. Nor is LaVere’ in love with her.”
“Do you know Samuel?”
He nodded, “Yeah, he’s Pearl’s oldest brother.”
“Samuel Lassiter? Wow, He is such a serious man and so handsome. He doesn’t appear to be the type to sleep in any woman’s bed without meaning.”
“He’s not,” James said raising an eyebrow.
Ashley smiled. “Cynthia said he makes time stand still.”
“Hmm, so, where does that leave LaVere’?”
♡♡♡
Whenever he was on an assignment Samuel usually did not make contact with his family. But this assignment was a little different; he was home and he was in need of advice. Holding Cynthia in his arms last night brought things to light. He was more than just a little attracted to her. That could cause a number of issues. Their family had a ritual, every member in the family made contact the week before Thanksgiving regardless of where in the world they were. The order of the calls determines who gets what duty for the holiday. He could knock out two stones at once.
Pulling out his cell phone, Samuel dialed the number and smiled instantly when he heard his mother’s voice. “It’s your oldest son, am I the first?”
“No, you missed by one, Joshua called around four am. You get game detail,” she laughed.
“I’m pretty sure Joshua will not make it to dinner therefore he forfeits.”
“Diamond believes she has the next bid on cake detail, because she helped with the shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. Nevertheless, I’ll let you, Joshua and Diamond fight over that.”
“Oh hell, Mommy you know Diamond doesn’t play fair.”
“You’re the one that taught her how to negotiate,” she laughed. “How’s my baby?”
“I’m doing okay Mom. Is everyone going to make it Thursday?”
“Everyone except Joshua, but I’m not giving up hope on him yet. Your father has pulled out the football and chess set in anticipation of your arrival. I’ve picked up all the ingredients for your lasagna everyone is still raving about from last year.”
“I’m looking forward to all of the festivities and more.”
“Are you bringing someone with you this year? You know your father and I are not getting younger. We need grandchildren.”
“You have twelve children. Grandchildren are the last thing you need.”
“My baby is sixteen and in her last year of high school. I need babies. You are the oldest. It’s your responsibility to lead the others.”
“Lead them in what?” Samuel asked somewhat amused.
“In supplying me with a plethora of grandchildren,” Sally replied in an I thought you knew kind of voice. “The Lord said, be fruitful and multiply.”
“In the book of Samuel it reads, multiply and have children when you haveth a wife to care for them. I’m not Boo Boo the fool.”
“I agree one hundred percent. You do need a wife. So do you have anyone in mind?”
That was such a smooth setup that he did not see it coming. She turned that conversation right in the direction she wanted it to go. For the past fifteen years he had dealt with spies, intelligence agents and secretaries of states. None of them has been able to twist his words. Yet it never failed with Sally.
Searching for the right words, Samuel cleared his throat. “Since you mentioned it there is someone that has captured my attention.”
Sally inhaled with excitement. “Really? Is she nice?”
“Actually I think she’s a little amazing.”
Smiling, Sally sent up a silent pray. She wasn’t sure Samuel would rebound from his last affair of the heart. She never met the woman, but he took her death very hard. Of her twelve children he was the one with the tough shell. Whoever slips in has love for a lifetime. “Will we get to meet her?”
He cleared his throat. “Umm, that’s the thing. You already know her.”
“Really, who is she?” Sally eagerly asked.
“Cynthia Thornton.” Samuel waited. He knew the response was not going to be thrilling.
“Whew,” Sally exhaled. “Your sister is not going to take this well, you do realize that, right?”
“I know Mom. But she seemed to handle things last week during the press conference.”
“That was business baby, she had no choice.” Hearing what sounded an awfully like despair in his voice Sally simply replied, “I love you Samuel. Whoever you chose to have in your life, I want them to be worthy of you. Only you can make that judgment. I trust your choice. If you believe this woman will make you happy, that is all that matters to me. If you can manage it bring her with you for Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Thanks Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too Samuel.”
“Tell dad, I will see him on next Thursday.”
“I will. Bye baby.”
After the call, Samuel pulled his sweater over his head and walk towards the shower. “There is no way in hell I’m going to let anyone take her away from me. I don’t give a damn who they may be.” It was time to put Cynthia on notice.