Jamaica recoiled from my bitterness before she crossed her arms. “And stealing is better than the streets, Freedom?” At my stubborn refusal to acknowledge her words, she started backing away from me and said, “I don’t care what explanation you want to give me, I’m not trying to hear it, and I don’t want to hear from you ever again.”
This time, she turned around and started running.
Away from me.
I stared after her, my speech tangled again in explaining how I ended up in that predicament. A predicament that I suspected Kody caused, and I was the fall guy.
PRESENT DAY
“Thank you. I needed that shower.” Jamaica timidly walked out of the bathroom, wearing a large white terry cloth robe, holdingher clothes in her arms. Hints of her cleavage peeked from the folds she pulled closer together with the belt. I grew harder at the vision of her hair curled from the rain and then the shower, knowing that only soft material kept me from seeing her beautiful body again. She looked away from my lustful attention. “Um…we can talk after you shower.”
“I think I should stay dressed. I already changed clothes while you were in the shower.” My hungry gaze fastened on her face. A face that invaded my fantasies and haunted my dreams for so long. I don’t know why this woman had such a hold on me after so many other women, so much time, and knowing she’d married my best friend and hid a child from me. Maybe she was only a fantasy, and the reality of Jamaica would finally release the grip she’s had on my heart.
“Iknowwe should go back out there and sit instead of in here.” She pointed to the living area of the penthouse suite.
I eased out of the bed and took the soiled clothes out of her arms. Her gaze zeroed in on my erection that tented my sweats. “Give me a moment to shift my thoughts.” I shrugged with a smile. “Literally hard for me to ignore that all I have to do is pull on that belt to touch and taste your body.”
She dragged her gaze away, held tight to the lapels, and walked through my bedroom doors.
“I’ll get someone to clean your wet clothes tonight. An hour or so, you can get dressed again if you’re uncomfortable.”
We had been oblivious to the rain that soaked us while we were out at the clearing and shivered in the car on the way to the hotel. I had to arrange for the hotel manager to allow us to access the property through a private entrance. We didn’t need any further scandal attached to me when I was on shaky ground with my record label due to my aggressive behavior under the influence and the performance of my last album, which almost flopped if it weren’t for the first single that hit number one. Mylast-minute decision to tour and my expected collaboration with Alonzo Taylor salvaged my relationship with the executives.
“They’ll clean it tonight?” She tossed over her shoulder.
“Yeah. I can probably find you a t-shirt and shorts, or I can also buy clothes for you to wear tomorrow so you don’t have to do the walk of shame if they can’t,” I teased.
She wagged her finger. “We’re not doing anything for me to be ashamed.”
I held my hands up. “I know. I know. It was a joke.”
Jamaica skeptically stared at me longer.
“I’m not going to touch you. Let’s sit on the sofa and talk. When we get sleepy, you’ll come back in here, and I’ll stay out here.”
Once we settled on the sofa with a cushion in between us, I gestured to a covered silver tray on the table. “You hungry?”
She shook her head.
I lifted the lid with a flourish to reveal the greasy aroma of chili cheese fries, a burger, two Sprites, and a strawberry shake with two straws—all of her old favorites. A soft smile caressed her face, and she grabbed an orange throw pillow to hug instead of me.
“I need someone to clean some clothes for me within the next hour,” I said into the hotel phone while she stared at the food.
The male voice on the other end replied, “Of course, Sir.”
“You could’ve ordered what you like. I’m not hungry, and you can’t really eat like this and look like that?” Jamaica pointed to my chest.
“Touring and performing keep me active. A trainer when I’m in between tours. Got enough to share because I know you’re hungry. I bet you haven’t eaten.”
Jamaica shook her head. “That food is too heavy this time of night. I eat one fry and gain ten pounds just like that.”
I pushed the plate toward her as I grabbed some fries. “You don’t need to be brand new around me. I’m still that Freedom where you could be yourself around.”
“I’m not being brand new.” She dropped her gaze to the platter and picked up the shake to take a long sip. “At least not the way you probably think.”
“I love the weight on you. You’re even prettier.” I smiled before I gulped down my fries and leaned to sip off the same shake using her straw, drawing our faces close. She pursed her lips, but not before I caught the hitch in her breath.
“I used to imagine us together when we were old, and I always pictured you with a round face and curves that warmed me up at night while we told each other about our day, our children, and our grandchildren. I never pictured this.” I gestured to the opulent, spacious penthouse that hosted a baby grand in the corner. “All I ever wanted was to use my music to provide for you and our family. It was never either my music or you. It was always going to be both.”
