Olivia placed a hand on Malcolm's chest and pressed him back with gentleness. “No. You think you need me. Are you forgetting you’re engaged now?” The reality of her question snapped his body into rigidness.
Malcolm’s jaw tightened and Olivia noticed his Adam’s apple rise and fall from his hard swallow. Defeated, he leaned away from Olivia and sunk into the pillows. “I made a mistake. I needed more from you. She filled the void. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Olivia stood against a force of mental resistance. “I think you’d better go now.” Exhaustion filled her body causing her knees to buckle.
Malcolm rose to his feet and embraced Olivia. His gaze pierced her eyes with his plea for forgiveness. “I belong to you, Olivia. We are still husband and wife. Take me back.”
“I can’t.” Olivia stammered. “I…I don’t know how.
“Let me show you. I love you, Olivia. I know you love me, too.” Malcolm’s lips fluttered her face with kisses. His hands roamed across her back and brushed the front of her chest again. This time, Olivia didn’t force his hand away.
Malcolm stared into her eyes and unbuttoned her pajama top to reveal her naked breasts. Olivia shuddered from the coolness of his lips as they traveled across every part of her exposed chest and stomach. Resistance relocated to the furthest part of her mind even as he removed the remaining piece of her clothing and let his mouth roam to the center of her body. Her toes curled as she writhed with pleasure.
The only words she heard were, ‘I belong to you, Olivia.’ Mariah no longer dominated the man she loved. The rekindling of the spark between their bodies gave Olivia the security she needed to receive all Malcolm gave to her. Their cries of ecstasy vibrated through the air until they reached the raw place of serene fulfillment.
EIGHTEEN
Savvy
One of a kind dream homes filled the neighborhood Savvy drove through. She decreased her speed to read the addresses on boulders in front of each jaw-dropping custom-built house to find the number Pharrell had texted her.
A white stucco two-story house with a red-tiled roof sprawled across a portion of land manicured well enough to be a golf course matched the address in her phone. She wheeled her BMW into the circular driveway and shifted the gears into park. Her eyes widened, taking in the splendor of Pharrell’s home.
Her stomach growled in anticipation of the food. The idea of seeing handsome Pharrell again made her heart leap.
Savvy lowered the sun visor and checked her make-up and hair in the mirror to make sure everything appeared to be flawless. She tucked a couple of braids behind her left ear, and let the right-side hang loose. Now she’s prepared for Mr. Wonderful.
The custom fit of Savvy’s dress complimented her curvy body. Purse in hand, along with a bottle of wine, she exited the car. One last look at her reflection in the driver’s window gave her the confidence everything on her fell into place.
She admired the variety of white flowers in the garden bordering the walkway to the front door. Only the sound of her high heels clicking on the sidewalk penetrated the evening air in the quiet neighborhood.
Savvy pressed the doorbell button, which rang out in a series of rich-sounding bells. The massive solid wood door swung open in an instant and there he stood, looking like he stepped out of a magazine. He had a way of making a simple T-shirt and blue jeans look good. Muscles strained against the fabric of his shirt.
“Hello, darling.” Pharrell greeted her in his deep bass voice.
“Well, hello. You got to the door quickly.” Savvy laughed despite him startling her.
“I couldn’t wait for you to get here. You look amazing.” Pharrell wrapped his muscular arms around Savvy in a warm embrace. The strength in his hug made her not want to let go. She savored the smell of his cologne before stepping back from him.
“Thank you. Here’s a bottle of wine for the chef.” Savvy entered the house. Her nostrils debated which aroma to focus on. Him or the food. “I smell something delicious in here.”
“Welcome to a taste of Heaven.” Pharrell laughed and retrieved the wine bottle from her. He examined the label and nodded his approval.
The sound of a songstress floated through the air. “Wait a minute. Are you playing Jamille ‘Jam’ Hunter?”
“Yes. This is her song, ‘In the Sun’. How did you know?”
“I listen to Jam’s music all the time. I have every CD by her. She wrote a wedding song for my friends, Cynthia and Jay. You talk about a true performer. She’s amazing.”
“Man. I can’t even surprise you when it comes to music. At least I know you have great taste.” Pharrell winked.
“I’m glad we have something else in common.” Savvy took in her surroundings. From the entryway, she could see his fondness for the color of white. Every wall, piece of furniture, and tile floor made the house appear to be a winter wonderland covered with soft snow. “Your home looks amazing. From what I see, you have exquisite taste.”
Pharrell’s sense of style had a contemporary flair with straight lines and simplistic in a minimalist kind of way. Pictures displayed on walls, made his home resemble a museum.
An enormous portrait of Pharrell hung above an oversized white stone fireplace. His handsome appearance took Savvy’s breath away. He wore a tuxedo holding a rose toward the camera. His teeth, which had to be worth thousands in orthodontic dollars, dazzled between smiling lips.
“What a great portrait of you.”
“You agree too, huh?” Pharrell beamed. He intertwined his fingers with hers to lead her closer to the fireplace. She loved the strength in his grip.
“It looks like a real picture. Did a local artist do the painting?” Savvy inquired.
“No. I commissioned the painting of
