“Yet you still love me.”
Rubbing my womb, I nodded. “You were my first. Your baby grew inside me for nine months, and he’s a constant reminder of what we once had. Of course, I’ll always love you.
He grabbed my chin and tilted my head up. “No, you’re still in love with me.”
I knocked his hand off my chin and moved away from his allure. “There can’t be an ‘us,’ and I don’t know how Jamie will handle knowing that Kody isn’t his father. My son is fragile.”
“You mean, ‘our’ son, and what do you mean by ‘fragile’?” The teasing light in his eyes grew serious. “Is there something wrong with him?”
“Emotionally. He cried a lot as a baby and a toddler, though he was always quick and smart. Never really fit in with otherchildren. He’s quiet, keeps to himself. He’s more like I was than you. But Jamie loves music like you and is already a fan of yours.” I folded my arms. “I’m supposed to blow up his world for a man who may not be here tomorrow? I can’t do that to my son. You, of all people, know how having a bad father messes with you.
He moved so close to me that I had to tilt way back to see his glowering face. “How could you possibly think I would ever treat any blood of mine like my father treated me? The muthafucka left scars on my body. Do you think I would ever lay a hand on my baby?”
I touched his biceps lightly. “That’s my point. The boy I used to know would never touch me or his baby in anger. I don’t know the man standing in front of me. I don’t know the life you have now. The person you are. Money and fame change people. Often in the worst ways.”
Freedom implored, “Then spend tonight with me. Get to know me again. Kody isn’t coming back until tomorrow, and the children are away for the weekend.”
“How do you…Lori told you.” Of course, my best friend, who thinks I need to have revenge sex for Kody’s infidelity, would give Freedom anything to put him in my path.
“She still rocks with me.” He gloated.
“Remind me to find a new best friend,” I muttered and then shook my head. “Being out here alone with you is bad enough.
Freedom picked up my hands and swung them lightly. “Be with me for a little while. I’m not going to pressure you into anything. You can take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the sofa. Talk all night. Tell me about you…about …” His words faltered.
“Our son, Jamie,” I finished, feeling a relief I didn’t expect at saying it aloud to the very person I wanted to tell since the day I threw up and knew. “We can talk about what happens next with my husband around.”
“Fuck Kody.” He scowled as his hands tightened around mine. “I don’t want him around when I meet my son. He has my blood, but calls Kody ‘Daddy’. Naw, I deserve to know him on my own terms. I already missed out on the years he needed me the most. Maybe he wouldn’t be so shy or be ‘fragile’ if I were in his life. I’m not going to miss out on anything else.” He glanced toward my car. “I’ll get someone to pick up your car and bring it to the hotel. You’ll ride with me.”
I slipped my hands from his grip. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Freedom calmly replied, “You really don’t have a choice but to come back to the hotel with me since you’ve kept my child away all this time. How do I know you won’t run away with him?”
“You never wanted him. You’re doing this to get back at me and Kody,” I accused. The rumble of thunder mirrored my anger and frustration at the demand he had made of me.
He opened his mouth and then shut it, before hissing, “Believe what you want to believe about whether I wanted him back then. All that matters now is that I want him, especially since your husband agreed to build my home without telling me that he was married to you or raising my child. The only reason I’m not pulling out of the contract is that it would be taking money from my son, too.”
“Kody told me you just signed it. Is that true?”
“No. I signed three months ago.”
I cursed internally as I continued to listen to Freedom. Of course, Kody lied again.
“I thought I was helping an old friend out. He asked me to bail him out of trouble for old times’ sake. I told him that I’d been considering a homestead for any members of my family to have a place to go or live. He might have abandoned me years ago, but I don’t operate like that. He said he needed, and I gave.If you want to stay with a man like that, then you married the right one.”
“Then why do you want me to go to your hotel if you’re no longer interested?” I dropped my head at the intensity in his gaze, the fire between us that continued to blaze despite his words.
“Why are you scared to go if you’re not interested in me?”
“I don’t know if you want revenge for feeling betrayed. I’m woman enough to admit, I’m tempted. And maybe all you want is for me to give in to you so you can hurt Kody and take away my baby.” I choked out the last words.
The scowl on his face relaxed. “I’m not trying to take him away from you. I lost my mother, Jamaica, and would never want my son to feel that type of loss. Come on. I’m not diabolical. I want my son. I want a chance with you. That’s why I want tonight. Maybe we both realize that we can’t go backwards, and I can finally release you from my heart and put all my energy into him.”
“Put all your energy into him now. There will never be a you and me anymore. We made choices that can’t be undone.” My voice cracked. How could he still love me after all this time…like I loved him?
Gazes locked while tiny drops of rain kissed our skin.
His smooth palms cupped my face, and his thumb traced my quivering lips. “Give me tonight.”
