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Morning saw the arrival of plunging temperatures and new guests. Mustafa, Cafrey, Ali, and Kieli arrived via a chauffeured RV. It was a lavish treat no one was about to argue with following the lengthy flight from Jamaica to British Columbia.
Regardless of the first-class treatment, the real treat in everyone’s eyes came with the chance to kick off shoes and warm up by the fire in the main sitting room. The generous breakfast spread, courtesy of the Bliss catering service, was all that could top such an offering. Rani and Kofi even ventured from their digs in the guest cottage to enjoy the meal with their big brother and his guests. Still, the gathering wasn’t complete.
Kam opted out of the visits, declining to join even when Saiida tried to encourage her. Ali immediately launched into overbearing big brother mode and was on a mission to seek out his sister. Chisulo gently urged the man to let him handle it and was surprised that Ali allowed it. Any calming feelings that success granted Chisulo however, dissolved in seconds. Barrelling into Kam’s room to order her out of her funk, would only press her deeper into it.
Woo my fiancée, he recalled the conversation with Bach. With a deep breath, he secured the hold on the breakfast tray he’d brought for Kam and knocked.
He’d expected the door to be locked and had arrived with a master key in hand. Finding the door unlocked, pleased him in a way that was hard to reason.
“Sydi I-oh,” Kam quickly tamped down her surprise to resolve. “I’m not hungry,” she flicked a quick look over the tray.
“Good. Because your brother is waiting downstairs to see you.”
“I guess I should’ve asked Saiida to send him up.”
“Kam, they’re all exhausted. Doubtful Ali would appreciate having to leave the comfort of his chair by the fire.”
“Understood. I can wait.”
“Or you could come down.”
“Chisulo-”
“If you’re trying to hide here, just say so.”
“So that you can lecture me?”
“So that I can hide out with you. I think this counts as for better or for worse, right?”
She opened her mouth to respond, closed it, and then smiled weakly. “Seems like I’m heaping on the ‘for worse’ before we’re even married, doesn’t it?”
That she was still anticipating marriage, roused an intense wave of pleasure for him. “Actually, the ‘for worse’ started before we were even engaged.” He waited to see if the joke took, then reciprocated the brighter smile and subsequent laughter Kam gave into.
“We all love you,” Chisulo brought a serious tone into the easiness. “No one wants you upset about the fact that you defended yourself against those who broke into your home and tried to kill you.”
Kam latched on to the serious as well. “Even though one of them was your family,” she countered.
“Even though one of them was my family. Know why? Because, as I keep telling you, you are my family.”
Kam felt tears pressuring her eyes. Suddenly, she frowned and shook her head.
“What is it, love?” Chisulo probed.
“Just that, something...something’s different- the way I’ve been feeling about all this- something has changed.”
“Is that bad or good?”
She sighed, though mild unease still sparkled in her eyes. “I think it’s good. I can’t be sure.”
He moved a little closer. “Is it maybe good enough for you to come down and visit with everyone?”
“I’m afraid,” she shuddered out the admission.
“Kam, no one blames you-”
“That’s not it, Chisulo. What I did...I don’t know where it came from. I don’t remember any of the real...details of the attack. What led to it...who struck first? Maybe all they wanted was to talk. Maybe it never had to get violent-”
“Stop,” his frown fierce, he shook his head with an eerie slowness. “Don’t ever question that.”
“I have to. Don’t you see?” She looked down at her palms. “How do I know this had anything to do with self-defense or that I didn’t just snap and kill them all? If I’m around everyone and...”
“Kam?” Discovery sharpened his devastating features and he moved even closer until he was cupping her face. “Honey is that what this is about? You’re afraid you’ll hurt us?”
Tears leaked from her eyes when she nodded.
“Okay...it’s okay...” he pulled her further in, rocking her slowly. “Kam? Do you trust me?” he received the treat of her instant nod as her grip tightened on his waist.
“Then, will you trust me not to let it come to that?”
“How?”
“Hold my hand? Squeeze it tight as you want?”
She smiled, looked up at him. “That’s all?”
“That’s all,” he offered his hand.
She accepted.
“Tight as you want,” he reminded her.
She squeezed.
He kissed her temple. “Good girl,” he cheered softly.
“Don’t let go,” she said.
“Never,” he promised.
***
Morning eased into afternoon and spirits remained high throughout. Kam’s arrival set the tone for an enjoyable day. As discussions regarding sleeping arrangements had already taken place, everyone was eager to settle in following all the lively chatter and excellent food.
The Nkosi brothers had made arrangements for a small house staff to assist with the influx of guests. The group of 9 consisted of 5 cooks and 4 housekeepers. The men and women all hailed from various Nkosi homes across the globe, so everyone had been properly vetted. By mid-day, anticipation had already built for the spectacular meal promised by the chefs.
Kam was among those excited about the evening’s events. Some of that had to do with her brother. Ali had shown he was there to support and not to lecture. It was a much-needed balm to her pummelled soul.
As wonderful as it was to have Ali and Kieli there, even more of Kam’s excitement had to do with Chisulo’s visit earlier that morning and his subsequent closeness throughout the day. He was so changed, only now, she wasn’t so quick to believe that change meant he wanted to end things between them.
Truth be told, he had been changing for a while. Kam realized that in her idiocy, she hadn’t considered that it could simply be that his feelings for her had intensified in the same way that hers had for him. Their relationship had been one of passion from the onset. Sex, pure and simple- love hadn’t been part of the equation for either of them. Now, that had changed and for the first time, Kam believed it had changed for them both.
A delicate chiming sound caught her ear- the room clock, striking the hour. She forced her thoughts back to the task at hand- selecting an outfit for dinner that evening. She celebrated the knock that interrupted the process and rushed from the closet to answer.
“Hey,” she greeted Chisulo breathlessly, pleased to find him there. Cooly, she surveyed his clothing-rust-colored trousers with closed-toe leather sandals and a black crew shirt that molded to his superb chest.
“Casual, thanks,” she noted and left him there at the entrance.
Chisulo moved in, closing the door behind him. “Everything alright?”
“It is now,” she called. Moments later, the sounds of a foot stomp and hands slapping sides stirred from the closet. “I thought it was alright,” she groaned. “Still no idea what to wear.”
He observed her present attire. The turquoise robe reaching her mid-thigh suited him just fine. She’d held the garment closed while answering his knock. Now, the material gaped, providing enticing glimpses of the creamy tan lace bra and boy shorts she wore underneath.
Chisulo turned away in an effort to bring his hormones to heel. God, he wanted her! Knowing she wouldn’t refuse him, was only an additional torment. No, that wasn’t the right word. Torment wasn’t harsh enough to describe what denying himself the pleasure of her body was putting him through.
He wanted her- yes. He always wanted her, but now he wanted something more. He wanted her to know that her needs were important to him. He wanted her to know they were far more important to him than his own.
Kamili Okonkwo had become more than the woman he needed in his bed. She had become the woman he needed to survive.
“Help...” she whined from the closet doorway,
“Sure you want my input?” he asked.
She fanned out her arms, indicating the robe. “I can’t stay like this.”
Chisulo thought it best not to reply and went on to focus on the clothes filling the wardrobe. Shortly, he selected a pair of white slacks and a light pink tee with capped sleeves. While Kam surveyed the offerings, he knelt to retrieve a pair of flats. He took more time than necessary as the scent of whatever she’d bathed or lotioned in filled his nostrils. Instantly, the need for her was reignited.
Kam stood before the floor-length mirror observing the clothes while holding them to her chest. Chisulo had a bird’s eye view of bare thighs and torso. Abruptly, he stood while she regarded her reflection. That she could be so blase while his hormones all but revolted against him, should’ve had him boiling with frustration. Instead, he could have laughed. God, how he loved her!
“Hey? Where you going?”
She called to him just as he reached the room door.
“You need to get dressed,” he said.
“Well hold on, I’ll just be a second. Besides, I need you to get me into the top you picked. It buttons from the back.”
Chisulo swallowed a groan.