Never Say Never, page 20
He reached for her hand. “Let’s focus on us tonight.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m running at the mouth. I’m just anxious.”
“Don’t be. It’ll all work itself out.”
“How can you be so optimistic?”
“Because … I was a walking dead man letting the guilt and grief over losing Michael consume me. I shut out everyone and everything. But then I met you and my whole world changed. You and Jazzy have been a ray of light, helping me come out of the darkness of the last year.”
Sabrina beamed. “You’ve been just what I’ve needed too.”
“Have I told you how much I’ve enjoyed having you to myself this week?” He watched her from the other side of the table.
“As much as I’ve enjoyed being with you,” Sabrina said. Her eyes didn’t waver from his piercing gaze.
Malcolm was silent for a few moments. He didn’t want to waste another minute. Before he lost his nerve, he had to tell Sabrina that his love for her had deepened with each passing day. “Sabrina …,” Malcolm began, “I love you.”
Sabrina’s eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t know when or where or how it happened, but I do. And I don’t expect you to say it back, at least not right away. I know you’ve been through a great ordeal over the last year, but in time I was hoping that you would come to feel the same way as I do.”
“You love me?” Sabrina was stunned, not by his admission, but by what was mounting inside her. She had questioned her feelings before, but now, as Malcolm opened up to her and laid his heart completely bare, she knew the answer: Yes, she was truly, madly, deeply, head over heels in love with Dr. Malcolm Winters. How did this happen? She thought she’d been protecting her heart so well and then bam! Love snuck in.
“Sabrina-”
She reached across the table and, with the tip of her index finger, stopped him from speaking. “Can I say something too?” Her head told her maybe it was better to wait and err on the side of caution, but her heart said go for it and reveal to him her feelings.
“Of course.”
“When I left Baltimore I was a broken, tattered woman who’d vowed to never love anyone ever again, ‘cause I didn’t want to feel that way …” Sabrina’s voice cracked. “To feel … th-that kind of hurt and pain ever again.”
As Malcolm stared at her, his heart raced. “And now?” he said, almost out of breath from excitement as he scooted closer to her on the terrace.
“And no matter how hard I’ve tried to deny it,” Sabrina whispered, “to resist you, I couldn’t. I’ve fallen for you too.” She caressed his face. “Malcolm, I love you with all my heart. I love you more than I thought possible.”
Tears fell from his eyes at hearing Sabrina voice her heartfelt declaration of love. “You do?” he murmured.
Sabrina shook her head fervently and he reached for her, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her passionately. When he lifted his head he said, “I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Do you know how happy you’ve made me, Malcolm?”
He kissed her face over and over, planting kisses on her forehead, her eyelids and her cheeks before finally coming to her mouth. “No more than you’ve done for me. You’ve changed my life, Sabrina.” With the back of her hand, Sabrina wiped away the tears streaming down his face. “Once I met you and opened up my heart, I was a goner. I thank God for you, Sabrina, every day.”
Malcolm bent down and swept Sabrina up in his arms. Quickly, he marched off the terrace and into the bedroom, carrying her as if she weighed nothing more than a feather. Within minutes he was laying her down on the massive king-sized bed and joining her.
“I want to show you just how much I love you, Sabrina,” he murmured silkily in her ear as he nipped an earlobe. “Let me love you.”
“You can,” she said. “But first”—she eyed the Jacuzzi tub across the room and quickly slid off the bed—“we have to take a bath.”
In seconds, she was standing in front of the tub, easing out of the dress she’d been wearing until she was standing completely naked in front of him. Malcolm allowed his gaze to rove over her sumptuous curves. He couldn’t wait to be inside her and immediately began removing his clothes. He watched as she slid that delectable body of hers into the rose-scented water.
Then he joined her, crushing her succulent mouth below his. His mouth demanded all the pleasure that only Sabrina could give him. And when she darted her tongue inside his mouth, he groaned. She was like a powerful drug. Her fingers caressed the planes of his torso and heat suffused his entire body. Knowing that he had Sabrina’s body as well as her love stirred the aching he’d had since they first met. An ache he was ready to dispense with.
He lay backward and pulled Sabrina on top of him. Then he feasted on her dark nipples. Little involuntary sounds escaped her throat when he snaked his hand between her thighs to cup her sex.
“Oh, yes,” she cried when he slid one finger inside her swollen flesh. She pulsed around him and let out a guttural groan. He thrust in again, this time deeper. Sabrina moaned as he continued to tease her breasts while tormenting her center. He slid a second finger inside her and Sabrina arched against him. She urged him onward, rocking against him. He couldn’t stand it anymore. He needed to be inside her.
Sabrina was shaken as she realized Malcolm’s need was as fierce as her own and when he finally drove inside her, she moaned her pleasure. Nobody had ever made her feel the way he did. He touched her and made her burn in ways she never thought possible, making her a bundle of nerve endings. The union of their bodies was electric and when he caressed her skin and buttocks, it felt oh so right.
Unable to sleep after a rousing evening of lovemaking, Sabrina crept over to the champagne still in the ice bucket on the terrace. Before she reached it, her cellphone rang. She rushed to her purse and found the display read ten p.m.
“Hello.”
“Sabrina, it’s Tre.” Tre was curt—a little too curt for her taste.
“What is it, Tre?” Why had she answered the phone? She was in no mood for his shenanigans. She glanced back at the bed. She had a good man like Malcolm Winters waiting for her who just so happened to love her with his whole heart and was the best lover. Sabrina was blissfully happy. Malcolm’s love brought bottomless peace to her soul.
“I need you to come and get Jasmine. I have to leave town unexpectedly.”
“Whatever for? I thought you wanted to spend more time with your daughter? Well, you got it, buddy. Deal with it.”
“Do you mean to tell me you’re not going to come get her?”
“Why should I do you any favors?”
“I suppose not. I see that Jasmine’s behavior this evening is a reflection of you.”
“Pardon me?” Sabrina’s tone changed from flippant to angry.
“Don’t act like you didn’t have anything to do with Jasmine behaving like a spoiled brat the entire day.”
Had Jasmine done something wrong? “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Jasmine has been completely miserable today. She’s practically terrorized Melanie all day. She put a frog on her chair at the pool and refused every plate brought for lunch, but the final straw was accidentally spilling red wine all over Melanie’s cream sleeveless gown. So, Melanie came upstairs, packed her bags and left. She called me from the airport to say she was returning to Baltimore immediately.”
“Did she?” Sabrina acted horrified, but inwardly, she giggled. So, Jasmine had played devil child and scared the woman off. Good!
“Don’t act like you care in the slightest bit, Sabrina. Hypocrisy doesn’t become you.”
“Okay, fine. I won’t. So why do I need to pick up Jasmine? Now you have all the time in the world to spend with her.”
“No, I don’t. I’m going back to Baltimore to repair the damage your daughter’s caused.”
“Oh, now she’s my daughter.”
“Yes, she is,” Tre replied. “You needn’t worry about a custody suit either.” His bags were already packed and he’d called the concierge and requested a limo, but he needed Sabrina to come fetch Jasmine first. He had to get back to Baltimore and soothe Melanie’s ruffled feathers.
Sabrina chuckled. “What’s wrong? Is Melanie not prepared to be Mommie Dearest?”
“Go ahead, gloat. You win, Sabrina. Melanie has told me in no uncertain terms that she does not want Jasmine living with us full time. A week here or a month in the summer there is all she’s willing to abide.”
Sabrina sighed in relief. Thank God for small miracles. “I’m glad to hear you both have come to your senses. Jazzy is much better off with me. And of course, I’ll come and pick up my child. Give me about thirty minutes.”
“No can do,” Tre said. “If I want to catch Melanie, I’ve got to leave now.” He looked over at Jasmine, playing with her Game Boy on the hotel sofa. He hated to leave, but he had no other choice.
“Don’t you dare leave my daughter at that hotel alone, Tre.”
“I’ll leave her with the hotel concierge. She’ll be fine until you arrive. I’m sure they’ll give her some free ice cream or something until you get here.” Tre hung up the phone without waiting for her response.
“Tre! Tre!” Sabrina screamed, but she heard nothing but a dial tone. Running inside, she searched the suite for her scattered clothing. In seconds, Malcolm turned on the nightstand lamp.
“Sabrina.” Malcolm wiped the sleep from his eyes. “What’s going on?”
“That bastard is going to leave my child at a hotel alone,” Sabrina said as she dressed hurriedly. “Has he not heard of child kidnappings?”
“What? Why is he leaving early?” Malcolm threw the covers back and jumped out of the bed. He began looking for a pair of briefs.
“Apparently, Jasmine behaved poorly and sent Melanie running off to the airport with Tre following behind her like some lost puppy dog.”
“And the man can’t wait a day to fly back?”
“No!” Sabrina snapped her bra closed. “So he’s decided to leave Jasmine at the hotel alone until I arrive.”
“I swear I could kill the man.” Malcolm had found his briefs and was pulling them on.
“You and me both,” Sabrina replied, slipping on a camisole and pulling on a skirt. A few beats later she asked, “You ready?” She glanced over at Malcolm, who was now wearing his trousers and was pulling a T-shirt over his head.
“I’m ready now.”
Minutes later, they were in his Jaguar, speeding through the streets of Savannah to Tre’s hotel. They made it there in record time. Pushing the swinging doors open, they rushed inside. Sabrina headed for the front desk, while Malcolm glanced around searching for Jasmine. Sabrina was about to speak with the manager when Malcolm caught sight of a tiny head full of ringlets sitting on the lobby couch. “Sabrina, I see her!”
They both rushed over to the couch and sure enough they found Jasmine eating a chocolate ice-cream cone.
“Jazzy,” Sabrina said, gathering her daughter in her arms, “thank God, you are all right. All the way over, all I could think about was what could happen …” Her voice trailed off.
Malcolm watched relief descend over Sabrina’s face at finding Jasmine unharmed.
“I’m okay,” Jasmine replied, licking her lips. “Daddy got me a cone before he left.”
“Did he? I’m just so glad to have you all back to myself.” She placed kisses all over Jasmine’s face.
“Mommy, stop. We’re in public.” Jasmine wiped the kisses away.
Sabrina grinned. She’d missed being called “Mommy.” “I know, and I don’t care. I just love you to pieces.” She hugged her daughter close.
“Mommmy, I can’t breathe.”
“Sorry, baby.” Sabrina released her and stood up. “You ready to come home now?” She hoped that was the case, because she couldn’t bear it if they were still at odds.
“Yes, Mommy. I can’t wait to go home.”
Sabrina glanced upward and thanked the Lord. Maybe all this craziness with Tre had to happen to make her and Jasmine appreciate each other all the more. Sabrina and Jasmine began walking hand in hand toward the swinging doors.
“You coming, Dr. Malcolm?” Jasmine held out her other free hand. “‘Cause I missed you both terribly.”
Malcolm’s mouth curved into a smile as he accepted her tiny hand. He was not alone anymore. He had a family.
Together, the three of them walked out of the hotel and into the chilly night air.
Chapter 21
Malcolm was nervous when he hung up the phone. He’d just spoken to Tasha for the first time. He’d finally scheduled a visit with his nephew, Jayden. He’d never really been around children until Jasmine, and he had absolutely no idea how to act around a baby. He was glad he was bringing reinforcements along for the visit. He hoped Sabrina’s presence would have a calming effect on him and the child.
Malcolm couldn’t remember the last time he was this nervous. Perhaps it was when he tested for his medical boards. Or maybe it was when he operated on his first heart patient as the lead surgeon, but none of those experiences quite equaled this momentous occasion.
It didn’t take him long to finish dictating some notes for Grace before locking up the clinic and hopping in his Jaguar. Along the way, he would pick up Sabrina and they would head out to Hilton Head Island. It was approximately a forty-mile drive from Savannah.
The drive gave him time to reflect on his future, their future. He knew it was too soon to talk marriage with Sabrina, so soon after her divorce, which is why he hadn’t broached the subject. He was content to wait and enjoy her company because one day soon they’d be married and have a child of their own, right along with Jasmine. He was sure of it.
“Are you excited, nervous, scared?” Sabrina asked on their way to Tasha’s apartment.
“All of the above,” Malcolm replied, brusquely taking his eyes momentarily off the road. They were wide with fear. “Sabrina, this is Michael’s child. When we lost him, Dinah and I thought that was it. He was gone, but now he’s not. A part of him will live on in his son. I can hardly believe it’s possible, but it is.” He returned his eyes back to the road.
Sabrina knew how much this meant to Malcolm. “Neither can I, but I’m happy that you chose me to share in this experience with you.” She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“There’s no one else I’d want by my side.”
The short drive to Hilton Head went by quickly and they made it to the Colonial Grand Apartments within an hour. Stepping out of the car, Malcolm looked up at the three-story resort-style apartments. From what he could tell, Tasha and Jayden were in a good neighborhood and he was glad for that. He was not only there to meet his nephew, but to inform Tasha that Michael’s estate would provide financial support until Jayden reached eighteen and then of course, pay for his college education.
His brother had amassed a substantial fortune in his short time on earth and Malcolm had hired an excellent firm to oversee his portfolio. Jayden would be well taken care of. And of course with his uncle Malcolm and grandmother Dinah behind him, he wouldn’t have a need they couldn’t meet.
“Let’s go.” Malcolm held out his hand to Sabrina. She accepted it and they ascended the stairs.
When they found apartment 302, they stopped in front of the oak door. Malcolm smiled nervously at Sabrina before knocking. Tasha answered barefoot and wearing a green silk loungewear set. She nearly equaled Malcolm in height. He estimated she was at least five foot ten. Model-like and statuesque, Tasha was exactly the kind of beauty that Michael would have gone for.
“Malcolm.” She leaned forward to give him a quick hug. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Please come in.” When she saw Sabrina standing behind him, she said, “And you must be Sabrina. Nice to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Malcolm and Sabrina said in unison, entering the apartment.
The place was roomy and nicely decorated with contemporary furniture and top-of-the line electronics. Malcolm was impressed, but what or rather who he was most interested was in the playpen in the corner. Slowly, he walked toward it.
“Please have a seat,” Tasha said, indicating Sabrina should sit on her gold leather sofa. Sabrina did as ordered, but Malcolm had already found someone who caught his fancy. Tasha left them for a moment and returned carrying a tray with fresh-squeezed lemonade and three glasses. “Would you like something to drink?” She held up the pitcher.
“Yes, please,” Sabrina said. She glanced over at Malcolm. He was standing over the playpen, enraptured by his nephew. She rose to go over to him, but Tasha stopped her.
“Let him be.” She poured Sabrina a glass of lemonade and handed it to her.
What Malcolm found in the playpen was the most beautiful child he’d ever seen. Though he adored Jasmine, Jayden was breathtaking. Tasha had dressed him up for the occasion in overalls, a striped T-shirt and baby Nikes. But what caught him completely off guard was how much Jayden favored his late twin.
Jayden had a head full of curly hair, chubby little cheeks and amazing brown eyes with long curly lashes. Michael’s eyes. It overwhelmed Malcolm. Tears ran down his face as he fell to his knees and stared at his amazingly beautiful nephew. Leaning in, Malcolm reached inside and gathered Jayden in his arms. Though a complete stranger, Jayden came to him without fussing. He merely smiled up at Malcolm and chewed on his plastic toy.
“He’s teething,” Tasha offered from the couch.
Malcolm turned around suddenly as if it had occurred to him that he and Jayden were not the only people in the room.
The light and glow in Malcolm’s eyes were wondrous. Sabrina couldn’t be happier for him.
