Loves Redemption Kimberly Terry (i can read books TXT) 📖

to hear the ‘juicy parts,’ Maya knew her friend was concerned with how she’d been coping with the death of Allison.

“I’m doing a lot better. Mark is the major reason I’ve been able to handle it all. Arlinda, I think he cares, at least he acts as though he does” she said, with a slight catch in her voice.

“You sound hesitant, what’s up?” Arlinda asked bluntly when Maya paused.

“I don’t know,” Maya admitted with a sigh before continuing. “It seems too good to be

true sometimes, Arlinda. It’s like I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?”

“Maya,” Arlinda paused on a long sigh.

“What? What is it? You obviously want to say something. You may as well get it out,

Arlinda.”

“Okay I’m gonna just say it. Stop with the sabotage.”

“What sabotage?” Maya asked as she took a sip of her drink.

“Maya girl, you know damn well what I’m talking about. Every time you have a potential

for happiness you do this. Admittedly, you rarely let a guy get close, but the few times you have, you find some reason to end it before giving it a chance.” Arlinda sat back and crossed her arms over her chest to stare at her friend.

One part of Maya admitted that what Arlinda said was true. The other part of her closed

herself off to the possibilities that what her friend was telling her was true. As she contemplated Arlinda’s words, she glanced across the room and made eye-contact with the man in question as he danced on the crowded dance floor with a tall blonde.

CHAPTER 20

Mark wasted no time leaving the dance floor, his long stride catching up with Maya as

she ran to the women’s lounge and was opening the door.

As her arm was reaching out to open the door, his much longer one slammed it shut as he

nudged her down the wall. Crowding her body with his, Mark forced her into closer contact with him and captured her hands in his when she tried to push him away.

“Maya, sweetheart, it isn’t what I know you’re thinking.” When she looked blank, no expression on her face, he felt desperation claw its way through his gut.

She had twined herself so tightly around his heart, he felt a near physical ache from

looking at her. Everything about her he found intoxicating. The way she moved. Her funny

expressions. Her presence. Her intelligence. Her dedication to Imani House and the women who depended on her.

Everything.

The thought of her not believing him was intolerable. He tilted her chin back when she

wouldn’t make eye contact.

“Baby, don’t do this,” he pleaded. When she refused to make eye contact, he felt anger,

frustration, and fear mingle inside his gut.

“Dammit, Maya! Don’t do this shit! Don’t shut down on me,” he demanded. When she

continued with that blank look he hated on her face, he felt helpless. “I was only dancing, baby.

That’s all, he told her in desperation.

“I know,” she spoke so low he had to strain his ears to catch her words.

“My first response was to run when I saw you dancing with another woman. It seems like

I’ve been running my whole life.”

He felt uneasy. As though something wonderful was slipping from his grasp. In a

desperate attempt to stop her from saying something he didn’t want to hear, he captured her lips with his. He moved his mouth searchingly over hers; capturing and then releasing her full bottom rim over and over, as his hands shakily caressed her face.

When she didn’t respond, he realized he wasn’t reaching her. He released her lips and

moved slightly away. Afraid, he wanted to get her alone, away from the bar.

“Maya, listen to me sweetheart. Why don’t we go somewhere and talk. We can go

anywhere you want. I want us to be able to talk somewhere, uninterrupted. Please,” he pleaded.

It took her a long time to answer, and when she did, he felt his body sag with relief. “If

you’d like, you could come to my house and we could talk.”

“I parked in the parking lot right out front. I need to go and tell Jordan I’m leaving, and we can go.”

“I came here tonight with a friend and I need to tell her the same.”

He guided her back through the throng of people, keeping physical contact with her as his

hand settled on the small of her back. When she stopped, he looked down at the pretty woman who had been sipping her drink as they approached.

“What happened to you, Maya? One minute we were talking about your friend, and the

next minute you got up and left. Are you all right?” her glance slid off Maya to go to Mark, as his hand rested on her waist.

“I’m sorry ,Arlinda; I’m fine. Mark and I need to talk about some things, so I’m going to

have to leave if it’s okay with you? I’ll call you tomorrow and we can schedule a time to go over the particulars for the fundraiser,” Maya answered her friend, her voice solemn.

“Mark, this is my friend Arlinda Nyoni,” she introduced.

“Hello, Arlinda. It’s nice to meet you.” He shook her hand before releasing it to place his arm back around Maya’s back.

As Maya picked up her oversized bag, Arlinda watched the man at her side as he took the

heavy bag from her hands, his eyes lingering on hers, as she looked up to thank him, and just as quickly, looked away.

Arlinda watched the pair leave and a sigh of longing escaped her lips. She then noticed

the man at the table Mark had been sitting with, look across the room her way.

A slow smile spread across Arlee’s face and she lightly pat her curls in place, as he

unfurled his long body from the table and sauntered over in her direction.

* * * *

In silence they walked to Maya’s car. Mark didn’t know what