heart. And plus youââ
âIâm getting a divorce, Kandi. I was trying to tell you yesterday before you ran out on me,â he said desperately.
âBullshit!â
âItâs true, baby. The papers have been filed, and Iâve told you youâre the woman I need and want in my life.â
âDonât be telling me a lie,â Kandi whined, gripping the phone.
âIâm serious. I do love you, and Iâm willing to prove myself to you beyond mere words, baby. But to make this work, you have to give meâgive us a chance. Do you love me?â
Kandi sat down at the kitchen table with her lips quivering. âWhy are you doing this to me?â
âAll I know how to do is love you. Now, if Iâm wrong for that. Then itâs something I canât explain.â
âIâm with somebody.â She sobbed.
âYou donât love him. We have a strong past, and if given the chance we can have a stronger future. He canât make you happy like I can. Why pretend? Iâm leaving my wife for you because Iâve grown to care for you, and I love you, baby.â
âButââ
âAinât no buts. Iâve done all that youâve asked of me, and I did it out of love, not lust. Think about what we did when you came to New York. It wasnât lust and you know it. I . . . donât want to have an affair with you anymore. I want you firmly in my life, no bullshit.â
â. . . I donât know.â She cried at the table.
âBaby, listen to me. My flight leaves tonight at nine. I need to see you before I go. Can you do that for me?â
âYes,â she said, wiping her eyes.
âPromise?â
âI promise.â
âI love you, Kandi.â
Kandi closed her eyes and spoke the words he wanted to hear. â. . . I love you the same.â
***
It wasnât until noon when Trevon finally rolled out of bed. Hearing the TV in the living room, he assumed he would find LaToria. To his surprise, Jurnee was sitting alone on the sofa watching Notorious.
âHey, whatâs up?â he asked, having forgotten that Jurnee was visiting.
âGood afternoon, sleepy head.â She smiled at the sight of him wearing nothing but a pair of black satin boxers.
âDamn, itâs that late?â He yawned.
âThat it is,â Jurnee answered, fingering a lustrous curl of hair that hung near her left breast. She was digging Trevon for sure.
âUm, where LaToria?â
âLeft for a nail appointment about an hour ago.â Her eyes moved over his thick muscular torso and descended below his waist. The boxers did little to hide his dick even when it was soft.
âShe say when she cominâ back?â
Jurnee shook her head. âWhy donât you call her?â she suggested, since she felt Kandi had lied to her.
âNah. Ainât tryinâ to argue with her today.â
âJust trying to be helpful.â
âThanks,â he said, scratching his baldhead. âUm, lemme put some clothes on and start my day.â
âYou going somewhere?â
âWasnât planning to,â he answered. âJust gonna feed my dog, then make breakfast.â
âLet me cook for you.â She stood, pleased to see his eyes moving over her body. Blushing, she smiled. âSomething wrong?â
Trevon returned her smile. âUmm, donât get upset, but I was just thinking howâlikeâyou um, sorta favor Jennifer Lopez. But seeing you now, you look more like Paula Abdul.â
âI hope itâs in her sober state.â Jurnee smiled, doing all that she could to keep her eyes above his waist. Sure, she had seen him naked and sucked his dick, but it was before any feelings were noted between him and Kandi.
Later, she stood in the kitchen frying bacon and eggs while Trevon took a shower. She bit back her words again on what she had discovered in the bathroom about