Dexter was so furious he could barely speak. This was going a bit far, but then what had he expected? He was still a black man and an ex-con; the combination was deadly. It was something that was not going away.
Sexual harassment was certainly nothing to play around with. It had brought some very powerful men some nasty consequences. Yet, he was thankful that it was not child molestation. He would not have had a prayer of proving himself innocent. What was he thinking? Most people were going to take Tina’s word over his. That was just the way this society functioned. Why in the hell would Tina do this to him? What did she hope to gain?
“Mr. Washington... Dex. Let’s go over this one more time.”
“No!” he barked. “I will tell you for the last time, I did not say or do anything remotely sexual to anyone who works at the community center or who volunteers at the center for that matter. I’m not into children, man. I have a woman in my bed, not a youngster.”
The men were seated around a long table, closeted away from the hustle and bustle of the police station.
“Damn straight,” Maxwell put in.
His partner glared at him.
“You’ve had him here long enough. Either charge him now or let him go,” Quinn Montgomery put in smoothly. Everything about the highly successful black attorney was smooth from his long muscular body to his dark brown skin. He knew his business. There was no inflection in his voice, just a flat statement. He had allowed Dexter to be questioned only because Dexter insisted. It did not mean he liked it.
The two detectives looked at each other. It was Maxwell’s partner who said, “You can go now, Washington. But don’t think this is over. We won’t let you get away with this. Just because you have some big-shot attorney doesn’t mean you’re gonna walk.”
“Come on, Dex. Let’s go,” Quinn said coldly.
Charles was waiting for them. Dexter was clearly enraged by the accusations thrown his way.
“It went well,” Quinn said as three men left together. He quickly brought Charles up to date on what happened. “They were hard on him but we expected that. He has a record and it’s not working in his favor.” They paused on the sidewalk. Ignoring the steady downpour, Quinn went on to say, “Dex, I’ll get my investigator on this. We’ve got to get to the bottom of this and quickly. We have to find out what she is getting out of this, before this thing goes any further.”
“That’s what I’ve been asking myself. Having me locked up is not going to help anyone. What in the hell did she hope to gain? Is she planning a civil suit?”
Quinn patted him on the back. “Don’t worry. We’ll get to the bottom of this. We’ll talk more on Tuesday. Good luck with that meeting at the community center.” He paused “Oh, do me one favor, stay the hell away from Tina Douglas.”
Dexter offered his hand. “Thanks. I appreciate your help. I know how busy you are.”
Quinn shrugged. “Give Anthia my best. See ya, Charles.” The two men shook hands before he hurried off to his car. “Ready?” Charles asked.
“Yeah.” Dexter was so coldly furious, he could hardly speak. The idea of having to deal with the criminal justice system again held no appeal. He was so quiet on the drive back to Anthia’s place that Charles did not try to force small talk.
It wasn’t until Charles had stopped in front of the house that he said, “Man, it’s going to work out.”
Dexter made an impatient sound in his throat, before he said, “If it were not for you and Quinn, I’d probably be behind bars right now.”
“They don’t have enough to hold you.”
“Thank the Lord for small favors,” Dexter said as he got out of the car. He glanced back at the other man, “You coming in?”
“No, I should be getting back home. Want to check on my baby girl, make sure she is all right. Give Anthia my love. And I’ll see you at the center on Tuesday. And Dex, keep the faith. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Look, Chuck, I appreciate your...”
Charles cut him off, saying, “There’s no need. We’re friends.” He knew Dexter’s family history and thought it was a real shame that he had to come so far to learn what love, true friendship and support meant.
“ ’Night,” Dexter said. He stood staring after Charles even after he had driven away. No there had been nothing in his past to prepare him for the warmth and acceptance that Anthia, Charles and Quinn offered unconditionally. The necessity for that support was eating away at him. Trying to get his deep-seated anger under control, Dexter slowly made his way to Anthia’s door and let himself inside.
“Hi,” she said, from where she sat in an armchair. She quickly put down the doll dress that she’d been embroidering flowers on, before making her way over to him. “Where is Charles?”
“He had to leave,” Dexter said softly, indulging himself by holding her close for a moment. He hated the fear and anxiety he saw in her lovely eyes. She was entitled to so much better than what he had to offer... so much better. Like her doll business, she was special... one of a kind.
“Diane called. She sends her love. She was very upset that she could not come today with Charles.”
“They’re good people.”
“You hungry? I made dinner...” she said softly, avoiding the obvious—what had taken place at the police station. She was dying to ask but she did not want to do anything that might upset him.
“You really didn’t have to go through so much trouble for me.”
She shook her head. “No trouble. Did Quinn make it?”
“Yes.”
“Are you okay?”
He shrugged, the last thing he was was all right. Too much had happened in the last few hours to destroy all that he had worked for since he’d been back in Detroit. The trouble was he would not be the only one hurt if he had to leave the community center. So many of the boys he mentored had come to depend on him to be there for them. How could he turn his back on them and just walk away? What choice did he really have? Leave before they put him out?
Restless, he walked over to the mantel and stood staring at a black ballerina doll that Anthia had designed. Every few weeks she changed her doll displays. As he absently fingered the doll’s toe shoes, his anger mounted.
Tina Douglas with her reckless act was destroying his life bit by bit. How long could Anthia or even Charles believe in him considering the amount of controversy this accusation would create around them? More importantly, how could he expect them to stand by him? Anthia was clearly suffering. It was in her troubled dark eyes.
Anthia stood where she was longing to help but not knowing how. It was all so horribly unfair. “Dex, please. Honey, talk to me.”
What could he say? How could he explain what it had been like during those painful years in prison? He had learned to protect himself as well as to depend only on himself. He had known the darkest kind of despair. It had taken so long to pull himself back from the edge. He had turned his life around. Why would this silly child try to take it away? No! He would not go back there.
“Dex...”
He stared at her, unable to bear the suffering on her face. He could not ignore that he was the one responsible for putting it there. Hell no!
His voice was gruff with anguish when he said, “I can’t hurt you this way. I’ll see you later.” He did not wait for her response, but moved steadfastly toward the door, then closed it quietly behind him.
Anthia had watched in disbelief. Evidently, he felt there was nothing more to be said. Or rather he was not willing to share it with her. She blinked back tears, refusing to give into the keen disappointment building inside of her. She reminded herself that this was not about her... it was about Dexter.
He had made some mistakes in his life, serious mistakes. He had paid for those mistakes with his life. His world had not been the same since he struggled to take the gun away from his late wife and failed. He had done the time and come out on the other side a better man. He had devoted his life to helping others. Now he faced the challenge of his life. But the fact that he preferred to face this alone was what hurt her to the core.
He was a strong black man with a generous and kind heart. He was also a stubborn fool. He was more concerned about her well being than his own.
There was no doubt in her mind that he had not said or done anything improper to Tina Douglas. Other than to try to help guide her the same way he had with all the youngsters that he came into contact with, he had done nothing. Anthia knew Dexter.
Yes, he was a deeply sensuous man. Dexter could be wildly seductive. Even if he was attracted to Tina, which she seriously doubted he was not one to cross the line. It would go against his strong sense of right and wrong.
How well she knew that he was a man of his convictions. He simply was not the kind of man to act on his sexual impulses. It had taken years for Anthia to get next to him because he had fought against his own desire for her. Talk about self-control... he took the word to new heights.
Tina’s actions were reckless and vindictive. Did she honestly think that this was the way to make him change his mind about her? Why couldn’t she see that he would never risk all that he had accomplished at the center for the sake of a girl more than half his age? He had worked too hard and for too long to make a go of the center to take such a chance.
Anthia shivered as an icy cold chill of fear ran up her spine.
What was he going to do? Why must he face this alone? Why couldn’t he let the people who cared about him the most and believed in him support him against these false charges? More importantly, how could he shut her out like this? Why couldn’t he see that she didn’t need his protection? What she needed was his love.
It had only been recently that he had opened himself up to her, shared that dark part of himself with her. “No way!” She didn’t want to go backward. She could not bear for the closeness they were just beginning to develop to disappear. It just was not fair! They needed each other too much.
Refusing to give in to the need to cry, Anthia went into her studio determined to escape her troubled thoughts. She simply could not think about how he was pushing her away, yet again. She would not worry that this time he might succeed. She busied herself by setting out and then preparing peach-lacquered tissue lined boxes for the nearly finished dolls. The last thing she tucked in was the One of a Kind certificate of authenticity that she always shipped with her dolls.
It was very late when she finished dressing two dolls and carefully packing them for shipment. Still there was no sign of Dexter.
Anthia hoped to ease the tension in her body and soothe taut muscles by taking a long fragrant bath. When she eventually emerged some time later, she toweled off and smoothed on her favorite scented lotion. The ringing telephone had her hurrying across the bedroom while covering herself with a ivory silk lace-edged bathrobe. She caught it on the third ring, “Hello?”
“Ma! What is going on? I heard that Dexter has been accused of sexual harassment and that he’s a murderer. What is this?”
“Calm down, son.” The story had apparently been picked up by the wire services across the country.
“Ma?”
“Yes, it’s true. Tina Douglas has taken her accusation to the media. I’m sorry you had to hear about it this way. I should have called you right away. It was headline news in the morning paper here,” Anthia said as she sank down to the edge of the bed.
“You mean to tell me this is not some mistake?”
“No, it’s real.”
“Dexter is not involved with Tina. Even I know better than that several states away.”
“No he isn’t. But it will be her word against his,” she sighed unhappily.
“It’s not surprising. She’s had a thing for him for a long time. All the fellows knew because a few tried to hit on her. I never thought the girl was stupid. How could she go so far as to try and ruin his reputation? It isn’t right.” Jeff’s indignation came across the line with crystal clear clarity.
“No, it isn’t. It has created a terrible mess for him.”
“Ma, what about him being an ex-con? Is that true?”
“I’m afraid so, son. Dex served five years of a ten-year sentence for manslaughter in the death of his wife and unborn child.”
Jeff’s disbelief was in his voice. “How is that possible? He could not have killed anyone... certainly not someone he loved.”
“It was a horrible accident, honey. He was trying to take a loaded gun away from his pregnant wife. She was trying to kill herself. The gun went off and he was charged and convicted.”
Jeff gasped. “How could they convict him when he was only trying to help?”
“It happens every day to black men. I think that’s one of the reasons he’s so self-contained.”
“How is he, Ma? If he needs me, I can come home.”
Anthia’s heart swelled with pride. “Thanks, honey. Although, I’m not sure there isn’t much any of us can do right now. Quinn has taken his case. And so far he hasn’t been charged with anything. That has to be a good sign. I’ll be sure and tell him what you said.”
“Thanks. Whatever I can do. Dex has been there for me. I want to be there for him. If he still needs me to talk at the center, I’ll do it.”
Anthia sniffed, wiping at the tears that filled her eyes. “I am so proud of you.”
“Aw, Mama. Don’t start. This isn’t about me, but helping Dex.”
“You’re absolutely right, son. We had better hang up now. We’ve already talked this morning.”
“Okay. Give Dex my best wishes. You’ll tell him what I said?”
“I promise. Love you. ’Bye.” She had just returned the receiver to its cradle when the doorbell chimed. “Now what?” Certain that she was not in the mood for company this late at night, she flicked on the porch light recognizing the lean, broad-shouldered man instantly.
“It’s me, Anthia.”
She quickly unlocked the dead bolt and the locked screen door before she opened the door. She stepped back giving him room to enter.
“Hi,” he said cautiously, unsure of his welcome. “May I come in? Or would you rather I stayed at my own place?” He had a garment bag strapped over one shoulder.
“You know the answer to that. I didn’t ask you to leave in the first place. That was your idea, remember? What’s going on with you, Dex?”
She looked at him with large, troubled eyes. She had done everything short of begging him to stay. He was the one who was constantly pushing her away, not the other way around.
He dropped his bag on the carpet, closed and locked the door, before he reached for her. “I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered close to her ear, pressing his lips against that tender spot behind it. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I needed some time... needed to get my head together.”
She trembled in his arms determined not to give in to the tears that were so close at hand. “I feel as if you are always pushing me away.”
“No, baby. Never that. I’m just so afraid of hurting you. I come with so much emotional baggage,” he confessed unhappily. “Besides, I didn’t like what all this was doing to you. This whole day has taken on nightmarish proportions.”
Anthia let herself sag against him for a few moments allowing herself the luxury of his male strength. She needed him so much. Was she being weak to give all her love without the assurance of ever having it returned? When had just being with him stopped being enough? No matter how vehemently she denied it, knowing he could never love her as she loved him was like pouring salt in an open flesh wound.
His stomach chose that moment to growl, easing the tension between them. They both laughed.
“Sorry about that,” he grinned.
“I think I can do something about that problem,” she said moving toward the kitchen. She had not bothered to eat either, she’d been too upset to even think of food.
“Let me put my things away, then I’ll give you a hand.” When he returned, she was busy at the counter. “Can I help?” he asked a few steps behind her.
“Nope, just sit... relax.” She already had the table set and was finishing a tossed salad that she had to go with the grilled chicken and scalloped potatoes she had prepared earlier. As she worked, Anthia could feel his dark, thoughtful gaze.
Once she had placed everything on the kitchen table, she asked, “Iced tea?”
“I’ll get it,” he said. “Looks good.”
“Thanks.” Her gentle smile went a long way toward easing his tension. Once the edge was off his appetite, he squeezed her hand. “What have you been up to?”
She smiled, soothed by his touch. Little things like that meant so much to her. “I did some work in the studio. Packed two dolls, getting them ready for shipping. That sort of thing. I don’t know if I’m just hungry or this is really good.”
“It’s good,” he said, content to do nothing more than watch her enjoy her meal.
“Oh, Jeff called. He’d heard the news.”
Dexter’s brow creased into an immediate frown. “He was disappointed.”
“He was shocked as we all were. Why would he be disappointed, honey? He didn’t believe a word of it. If anything he was outraged on your behalf.”
“Loyalty must run in this family,” he sighed gently.
“Absolutely. He sent his love and best wishes. He said if you need him he’ll come home. He also agreed to talk to the boys at the center. Dex, he’s willing to do anything he can to help you.”
Dexter nodded, deeply touched. “He’s a fine man.”
“Where did you go?”
“Drove around town,” he said quietly. Everything he had worked for these past few years would mean nothing if he didn’t stop this runaway train. All his efforts would be destroyed because of the doubt and mistrust that was bound to sweep through the community. All because of one young girl’s need for revenge.
“Finished?”
“Yes, thanks, baby.” When she would have rose to clear the table, he said, “Let me take care of the cleanup. Relax.”
She sat watching him, perfectly at home in her kitchen. She could feel his self-absorption. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could say that would make things better. “That didn’t take long.”
When he bent to take her glass, she lifted her face toward his and brushed her lips against his. That brief contact quickly changed as he thrust his tongue deep inside her mouth, pulling her up against his long length. He rubbed against her, finding her soft petite frame irresistible. Her sweetness was a seductive lure that had him quivering with burgeoning need.
“Let’s go to bed,” he groaned.
Anthia looked into his eyes and saw the hunger reflected there. Yet, she didn’t need to look for it... she could feel the proof of his desire... his erection was thick and long, pressed insistently against her. She ached with desire for his hot kisses and intense lovemaking.
She nodded, taking his large hand in her own. Her bedroom was lit by a night-light. Neither noticed as they quickly undressed. Her eyes hungrily met his from the opposite side of the bed.
They met in the center of the bed. Their arms locked around each other as they shared one hot kiss after another. There was no hesitation for either of them. Anthia loved Dexter with all her heart while he was in desperate need of her love.
“No,” she whispered when he would have covered her body with his. “Let me pleasure you.”
She bent to give him the ultimate caress, using her velvety soft tongue down his chest, laving each flat nipple in turn. His shudder gave her the courage to continue on down his trim stomach, passed the thick crisp strands of black hair surrounding his sex. She slowly laved the length of his heavy shaft, taking time to circle the highly sensitive peak over and over again until he groaned deeply and quickly moved her away.
“Feels too good,” he whispered, his mouth hot and hungry over hers.
His hands were not idle as he squeezed and caressed her plump breasts before moving to her lush hips. When he parted her soft womanly folds, he found her sweetly wet, ready for him. He whispered her name throatily. Then, he quickly reached for the foil packet on the nightstand and prepared himself for her.
Before she could catch her breath, he stretched out on his back and lifted her up and over his hips. He closed his eyes as her wet heat slowly encased his steel hard length, taking every aching inch of him deep inside.
Dexter could not contain the fire racing through his system. His strong, powerful strokes quickly establishing an exquisite rhythm that thrilled them both. There was no turning back as the delectable torment went on and on until they both were in such perfect accord that they lost control and reached completion as one.
They slowly recovered while holding on to each other, their uneven breathing the only sound in the room. Gradually as their bodies cooled and breathing calmed Anthia shivered.
“You’re cold,” he said then reached for the sheet and comforter to cover them. “Better?”
Anthia snuggled deep into his arms, “Yes,” her voice revealed how tired she was.
“Sleepy?”
“Mmm,” she said around a yawn. “How about you?”
He was feeling no pain. “Yes.” Being with her filled all his dark, lonely places. Anthia touched places deep inside that no woman had ever come close to reaching, not even Christine. It had been difficult for him to admit to himself, but recently he faced some hard facts.
Things had not been peaches and cream for him and Christine. They had been vastly different people. When they first met and later married those differences seemed so small that they were overlooked. It was only as time went on and the sexual tension eased that he began to take notice of the sheer enjoyment Christine found in partying and drinking.
It was a lifestyle that had quickly gotten old for him. He wanted a real home and he wanted his wife home with him at night. He didn’t need a room full of people to be happy. He had grown fed up with the constant string of parties she dragged him to weekend after weekend.
“Mmm,” Anthia sighed.
His caressing hand cradled her nape beneath the fall of her thick, cotton, soft curls. He relished the silkiness of her supple brown skin. There was something so soothing about her that eased his tension and male hunger.
He had been away only a few hours, trying to get rid of his anxiety and fears. It was his need for her that had brought him back tonight. What was happening to him? Was it because she had first been his best friend and was now his lover that made her so essential to his well-being?
“What time do we have to leave for the center?” she asked sleepily.
“The meeting’s on Tuesday.”
Dexter’s heart pounded with gratitude. It was the kindness of the offer that was so overwhelming ... comforting. He thought he’d reached heaven a few moments ago when he’d lost himself within her feminine heat. He was floored by her incredibly sweet spirit. What had he ever done to be on the receiving end of such genuine warmth?
“Dex, I plan to be with you.” When he didn’t answer she repeated his name.
“I heard you, baby. I just don’t know what to say. I hadn’t realized how badly I wanted you with me... until now.” His voice was thick with emotion. His large hand smoothed down her back, as he eased her onto his chest.
His kiss was filled with warmth and building male hunger. He paused at the small of her back just above where her womanly hips flared alluringly.
“I don’t want to wreck your schedule, baby. If you have to work, I will understand.”
“Nothing is more important than being with you.”
Dexter groaned, smoothing his hand over her sexy behind. “Forgive me, baby... but I need you now,” he whispered, cupping her softness with both hands while moving the crown of his sex against her mound, parting the plump folds. Anthia trembled, pressing down as he slowly, steadily entered her. The loving continued late into the night and it was very late when they gave in to their need for sleep.