Trouble with Luv' Read online

  After spending the last week in meetings, Ebony just didn’t have the energy to get dressed up, let alone dance. Truth be told, she just wanted to be left alone. No noisy clubs, no obnoxious jerks gawking at her. Tonight, she was going to enjoy a quiet evening at home and there was nothing Opal could say to change her mind.

  The bell chimed again and Ebony had to restrain herself from yelling. Why is Opal banging on my door like a raving lunatic? Is she trying to get arrested for disturbing the peace? Ebony hit Pause on the remote control. Tossing the duvet cover off to the side, she stuffed her feet back into her slippers and stood.

  “Hold on, I’m coming,” she called as she headed down the hall. Ebony opened the door. “Are you out of your—” The rest of her sentence fell away when she saw who the caller was. Ebony wanted to close the door and open it again because it was obvious her eyes were playing tricks on her. That, or Jacqueline Reed was standing on her doorstep.

  “Hi.”

  Ebony would recognize that voice anywhere. Jacqueline’s stomach was jutting out of her orange baby doll dress, her face was plump and she was breathing heavily. It was hard to believe her due date was weeks away; she looked like she could give birth any second now.

  Ebony eyed her with interest. What is Jacqueline doing here? Oh God, Xavier must be hurt! He had been in a car accident. His car had flipped over five or six times. He had been rushed to the nearest hospital but the doctors didn’t think he was going to make it. Heart racing and mouth dry, she asked, “Is Xavier okay?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Not exactly? What is that supposed to mean?” God, it’s worse than I thought! “Is he alive?”

  Jacqueline saw the horror in Ebony’s eyes and suddenly understood her unusual line of questioning. “He’s fine. I came here so we could speak in private.” She stood there quietly. Jacqueline had traded in her chin-length bob for dozens of floss-thin braids, and fingered the ends as she waited to be invited inside. When several seconds passed, she asked, “May I come in?”

  Ebony wanted to tell Jacqueline to get lost, but instead, stepped aside. Feeling a tad underdressed in her robe and needing time to organize her thoughts, she offered Jacqueline a seat in the living room. “Can I interest you in something to drink?”

  Jacqueline eased down onto the sofa. “A glass of juice would be nice.”

  After bringing her a glass of orange juice and a plate of aunt Mae’s hazelnut cookies into the living room, Ebony hurried upstairs to change.

  Ten minutes later, she returned wearing a blue tank top and denim shorts. Once the curtains were closed and the two floor lamps were turned on, Ebony took a seat on one of the leather chairs. Standing would imply that she was uninterested in what Jacqueline had to say and anxious for her to leave. Ebony was both, but she was wise enough to use the good graces she had been taught.

  “Would you like anything else?” Ebony wasn’t trying to be hospitable; she was trying to move the conversation along so Jacqueline could be on her way. The quicker they got down to business, the sooner the mother-to-be could waddle her way on home.

  Jacqueline rested her glass on a coaster. She smiled politely. “No, thank you, I’m fine.”

  The two women sized each other up.

  Ebony didn’t know how she felt about Jacqueline Reed. Part of her hated her for being the main source of her problems with Xavier; the other part of her felt sorry that she had been married to a man like Malcolm Pleiss.

  Jacqueline had no business butting into Xavier’s life and Ebony resented her being in her house. But this time around, there would be no insults or accusations. This time, Ebony had the upper hand. This was her sanctuary, her domain, her safe haven. Nobody was going to disturb her peace. As soon as Jacqueline crossed the line, she and her big belly would have to go.

  “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

  Damn, Skippy! Ebony tasted her drink.

  “Xavier’s a mess!”

  Water spewed out of Ebony’s mouth. Wiping as the liquid dribbled furiously down her chin, she set down her glass and grabbed a napkin from the napkin holder.

  “Okay, okay, so maybe I spoke in haste but the whole family is worried about him. He’s stopped going to church, he’s been partying with his friends and one night last week I had to go pick him up from the bar because he was too drunk to drive home.”

  Ebony kept her tone light. “What does all of this have to do with me? After what happened at the Indigo, I’m quite sure I’m the last person Xavier wants to see.”

  “He never did tell me what happened that night. Do you want to talk about it?”

  Yeah, but not with you.

  As if reading her mind, Jacqueline set out to dispel her fears. “I’m embarrassed about the way I treated you, Ebony. That’s not who I am. Ask anybody. They’ll tell you I’m the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. When I saw you in the kitchen, all the painful memories came rushing back. But that’s no excuse for my behavior. I had no right to embarrass you and I’m sorry.” Fingering the gold wedding band dangling on the chain around her neck, she rounded her eyes on Ebony, a sympathetic look on her face. “I’d like it very much if we could put the past behind us and start over.”

  Jacqueline thought back to last night. When she dropped by her brother’s house to check on him, he was inside the kitchen, hard at work, proofreading his graduate school essay.

  “I’m applying to schools on the West Coast,” he had told her.

  “Why, when we have perfectly good schools here?”

  “I need a change of scenery.”

  Xavier had never mentioned leaving Minneapolis before. He loved the city. All his friends were here and he liked living close to their parents. Jacqueline suspected loneliness was the driving force behind his decision to relocate, but when pressed, he denied it. Jacqueline didn’t want Xavier to leave. She wanted him present for every birthday, graduation and all the other milestones in her child’s life. E-mail, Web cams and camera phones made it easy for loved ones to stay connected, but it wouldn’t be the same as having her brother close by.

  While Xavier tended to dinner, Jacqueline had gone to the bathroom. “Nature calls,” she’d joked. But instead of going to the bathroom, she ducked inside his bedroom and raked through his drawers. Jacqueline had found what she was looking for on his nightstand. It had taken her three-quarters of an hour to find Ebony’s house, and now that she was here, she had no intention of leaving until she got what she wanted.

  “You don’t have to tell me what happened at the Indigo. I’m not here to get into your business. I’m here for Xavier. He misses you and he wants you back.”

  Uneasy with Jacqueline’s stare, Ebony looked away. “I don’t think Xavier and me getting back together is a good idea.”

  “What’s there to know? Xavier’s in a funk because of you, Ebony. You’re the one he wants. He loves you and you love him, so what’s there to think about?” Jacqueline didn’t understand Ebony’s reluctance. She would never find a man who loved her the way Xavier did. Unless—“Are you seeing someone?”

  “No, there’s no one else.”

  “Then what is it?”

  Ebony held Jacqueline’s gaze. If she revealed her thoughts, this peaceful meeting would quickly change tones. Finishing what was left of her drink, she struggled to find a nice way to say what was on her mind. “It’s you.”

  Jacqueline’s hand flew to her chest. “Me!”

  “Yes, you. I love your brother and I’d give anything to have him back, but I don’t want to live the rest of my life on tiptoes because you hate me.”

  “I’m going to be honest,” she said. “If I was looking for a woman for my brother, I wouldn’t pick you.”

  Ouch!

  “You’re completely wrong for him.”

  No, I’m not!

  “He’s laid-back, quiet. You’re loud and, well, loud.”

  Ebony’s jaw set in anger. Jacqueline had a lot of nerve talking to her like that. If it weren’t
for the fact that she loved Xavier, she would have shown his sister the door a long time ago.

  “But it’s not up to me who Xavier chooses to love.”

  Thank God. Ebony wanted to tell Jacqueline she was wrong about her, but held her tongue. There was no use arguing. Not when they were finally starting to get somewhere. Ebony disguised her anger with a smile. She stretched her mouth so wide her lips hurt. “So, you’re okay with us dating again?”

  “It’s fine by me.”

  Ebony was so happy she was trembling. She couldn’t wait to see Xavier. The anticipation was so great, she felt like she was going to burst. Reaching for the phone, she said, “I’m going to call him.”

  “He’s not home.”

  “Oh.” She pulled her hand away from the receiver. “Where is he?”

  “Nathan’s been pursuing some ‘dancer’ for months now and she finally agreed to go on a double date with him. She’s bringing her sister, and—”

  “Nathan’s bringing Xavier,” Ebony finished.

  “I just thought I should warn you. I hate to call anybody names, but LaDonna Jeffries is a tramp. She’s fast and loose and if her sister is anything like her, Xavier could end up with more than he bargained for. In the mood my brother’s in, he’s going to be easy prey for the Jeffries sisters.”

  Now it all made sense. Jacqueline didn’t drive all the way over to her house to bury the hatchet; she didn’t like her for Xavier, but she disliked Nathan’s choice of women even more. “Where are they?”

  “Q’s Joint. Heard of it?”

  Ebony nodded absently. She was thinking about the afternoon Xavier had taken her to Spring Lake Amusement Park to play a round of miniature golf. Ebony had learned a lot about Xavier that afternoon. He loved sports. His middle name was James. And the most startling news of all, he had once been engaged to his college sweetheart.

  Nathan was the one who had arranged the first date with Xavier and his ex-fiancée! That man is nothing but trouble! What’s wrong with him? Why is he always dragging my man out to meet other women? Xavier is my man and no one is going to take him away! A mischievous smile crept over her face as a plan formed in her mind. It didn’t matter how beautiful or how sexy his blind date was; the woman didn’t stand a chance.

  Ebony didn’t want to be rude, but Jacqueline had to go. “Looks like I have a date to go ruin,” she announced, standing to her feet. “Forgive my manners, but—”

  “No apologies necessary, girl. Go and get your man!”

  The two women laughed and for the first time since Jacqueline’s arrival, Ebony felt herself relax. She and Jacqueline might never become friends, but at least they weren’t enemies anymore. After seeing her guest off, Ebony raced down the hall and sprinted upstairs.

  Chapter 25

  Dressed to kill in a black body-skimming dress and three-inch sandals, Ebony bypassed the line of people waiting to get inside Q’s Joint. Her anklet jingled as she made her way toward the front of the queue. Straightening her back, she lifted her head high and clutched her purse. Her fitted halter dress played up her enviable hourglass figure and drew stares from the crowd.

  Ebony didn’t recognize any of the bouncers, and the man guarding the door looked like Rocky Balboa. Hard face, pursed lips, muscular build, rigid stance. I hope he can track down Kale, she thought, approaching the front of the club. If not, she would have no choice but to join the others in the slow-moving line. Luckily for her, Kale was standing by the entrance signing autographs. When he saw her, he tapped one of the mobster-looking bouncers on the shoulder and signaled to him to let her pass through.

  “I didn’t know you were dropping by tonight,” Kale said, kissing Ebony on the cheek. “I would have saved your favorite table if I knew you were coming.”

  “No problem,” Ebony told him.

  “Amelia is here. She’ll be so happy to see you.”

  After a few minutes of idle chitchat, Ebony promised to save Kale a dance and entered the packed-out club. Ebony decided to check the lounge area first. It was a secluded and intimate spot for people who wanted to talk. Her eyes swept the room and came up empty. Ebony was about to walk into the restaurant when she caught sight of Nathan and a busty redhead making out near the washrooms.

  Xavier’s got to be around here somewhere.

  Ebony walked farther into the lounge. She found Xavier on the opposite side of the room, in a booth obscured by a massive floor plant. His date had friendly eyes, curly hair and a slender frame. She looked like the type of woman who would make a great mother. For a half second, Ebony reconsidered what she was about to do. Now’s not the time to back out, she told herself. A lot is at stake here. You can’t give up now!

  Ebony stalked over to the unsuspecting couple. She eased into the booth beside Xavier and squeezed his forearm. “Hey, baby. Sorry I’m late but traffic was crazy.”

  Xavier’s jaw fell.

  Ebony turned to his date and extended her right hand affably. Just because she was about to dash the woman’s hopes didn’t mean she had to be cruel about it. After all, this wasn’t personal. This was business. Ebony was in the business of getting her man back and this poor, clueless woman was in the way. “Hi. I’m Ebony. Xavier’s fiancée.”

  The brunette cleared her throat. “Did you say fiancée?”

  “Uh-huh.” Ebony grazed her lips across his cheek, and nestled against his shoulder. “We’re getting married next month.” If she had glanced over at Xavier, she would have seen his bug-eyed, openmouthed expression and probably would have burst out laughing. That would really have thrown the brunette for a loop.

  Xavier’s date swiped her purse off the table and slid out of the booth. “I thought you were different,” she snarled. She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. The woman stomped away, and Xavier turned to Ebony.

  “What the hell was—”

  Ebony kissed him hard on the lips. She ran the length of her tongue over his mouth and pressed her body against his. Soon the kiss picked up speed. It was as if they were trying to make up for lost time with their lips.

  Xavier cupped Ebony’s face in his hands. It was an intimate and touching gesture that brought tears to her eyes. If she had any doubts about Xavier’s feelings, they diminished when he broke the kiss and whispered, “I love you” in her ear.

  Ebony could have spent the rest of the night kissing Xavier but they had to talk. She pulled out of his arms and wiped all traces of her Copper Glitz lipstick from his mouth. With a coy and sexy smile, she said, “Now, that’s what I call a homecoming!”

  Xavier chuckled. “What was that all about?” he asked, motioning toward the vacant seat.

  “That? Oh, nothing. I’m just staking my claim. You’re my boyfriend, remember?”

  “You told my date I was your fiancé.”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know, am I?” Xavier’s eyes twinkled. “I’m not going to name any names, but I remember a certain somebody saying she didn’t want to get married or have kids.”

  Ebony gasped. “Why would someone say something like that?” Closing her eyes, she dropped her head on his shoulder. “I missed you, Xavier.”

  “It’s been miserable for me, too,” he admitted.

  “I heard.” Ebony told him about Jacqueline’s visit. “I almost fainted when I opened the front door and saw her there!”

  “I bet you did.” Silence followed. There were a lot of things Xavier wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to begin. He had landed more than just a lover; in Ebony he had found a confidante and a friend. Seeing him out with another woman had brought out her claws, but he needed to know if the only reason why she wanted him was that he was with someone else. But first, he had to apologize. “About the things I said to you at the Indigo—”

  She cut him off. “We both said things we didn’t mean.”

  “I know, but I hurt you and I’m sorry. I lost my head when I saw you with Kale.”

  “My loyalty has always been to you, Xavier.
First, last and always.”

  He kissed her forehead tenderly.

  Fighting off the tears gathering in her eyes, she sat up. What is wrong with me? When did I become a weepy female who cries at the slightest act of affection?

  “Some of the things you said were true,” she told him. “Deep down, I guess I never thought I was good enough to receive my parents’ love. That’s why I pushed myself extra hard in school.” She added, “That’s why I push myself today.”

  “Ebony, I’m sure your parents loved you the best way they knew how. And if they were still alive, I know they’d be proud of you. Not because you run your own business or because you’re successful.” He tilted her chin, “They’d be proud of you because of who you are. You’re generous and compassionate and sweet and—” he cocked an eyebrow “—you’re a great kisser.”

  Ebony laughed.

  “I have a confession to make,” he told her. “I am a little intimidated by your success. It’s not that I don’t want you to succeed, it’s just that I don’t want anything to come between us.”

  “You’re right, Xavier. I am afraid of rejection. That’s why I work around the clock and push my employees so hard.” Remorse flickered across her face, then quickly vanished. “I want us to work, Xavier, even if it means I have to slow down a bit.”

  Love was etched on his face when he said, “You’ll never have to worry about me walking out on you, Ebony. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” Xavier drew a deep breath. There was a deep-seated bond and before he even opened his mouth, Ebony knew what he was going to say. Xavier had never been more nervous, but her smile of encouragement eroded his fear. “I love you, Ebony, and I want you to be my wife.”

  Silence.

  “Did you hear me, Ebony? I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife.”

  Her face shone with ebullience. Sniffing back tears, Ebony reached out and touched a hand to his cheek. “Okay.”

  Xavier blinked. “Okay?”