“Really?”
“Yes, and it was refreshing to talk to a woman who wasn’t watching to see if I was going to do or say something to break some sort of religious behavior code.”
Chris got up and placed his sleeping son in his crib. He walked back into the living room and continued. “What’s the deal with the boyfriend?”
“Not quite sure. She said they were fighting and she mentioned he was on punishment.”
“So I take it she and the boyfriend are sleeping together?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Women only say their boyfriend or husband is on punishment when they’re sleeping together. It’s the easiest way to get us back in line. Withhold sex from a man and he’ll do whatever it takes to get back in…her good graces.” He laughed. “Trust me, I have been on punishment more times than I care to mention.”
“Yes, they are.”
“Oh man, you can’t be around her. I can only imagine what this woman looks like and I’m pretty sure, you don’t need to be around her. The other thing all the women you’ve dated have in common is they all look like…”
Sean smiled because he knew Chris was right. Kyla was very smart and funny, and her body was designed for every sinful pleasure imaginable. Every time he was around her he had to remind himself not to think about her like that.
“Okay, I get it. My choice in females has always steered more toward the exterior rather than the interior. But this time it’s different.”
“How? Is she unattractive?”
“No.”
“Is she drama free?”
“No.”
“Then how is she different?”
“I can’t put my hand on it, I just know she is. I believe if she left her boyfriend, she could be…”
“What, saved? Man, I know you’re tired of being alone, but I don’t think this woman is what you need.”
“I disagree. I think she’s exactly what I need.”
Chris looked at his friend and saw something different in his eyes. In the past, he saw longing and now he saw life. For the first time in a while, his godbrother looked excited and alive.
Chapter 26
IT HAD BEEN FIVE DAYS since Kyla walked out on Eric, and he had been getting home late every night in order to avoid Olivia’s advances. He couldn’t risk a repeat of the other night. He was eager to be with Kyla and because of a stupid mistake, he was having withdrawals. He had tried everything to get Kyla to see him. He sent flowers, text messages, her favorite champagne, but nothing. He wasn’t used to being on punishment like this.
Sitting in his office reviewing notes for a meeting, his ringing phone broke the silence surrounding him. Ring, ring, ring…stop. He looked at the phone and waited to see if it was going to ring again. Ring, ring, ring. He immediately picked up.
“Hello.” His heart started racing, hoping the voice on the other end was the one he’d been waiting five days to hear. “Yes, I understand.” He pressed the button ending the call, cleaned up his desk, put the files in his briefcase, grabbed his jacket and coat and left. He walked three blocks west made a right, walked up one block and hopped into a taxi. Ten minutes later he got out and walked four blocks west and popped into the second building on the right. The doorman handed him a bag and he rode up to the eighth floor.
He reached for his key, opened the door and placed his briefcase on the chair by the door. He went down the hall to the bedroom and hung up his coat and jacket. He went back into the hall, opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers and placed them on the credenza before going into the kitchen to put up the groceries. He laid the papers in a path down the hall leading to the bedroom. He hopped into the shower and covered himself in body moisturizer and aftershave and climbed into bed, waiting.
Thirty minutes later, he heard the door open and close, followed by the sound of stilettos tapping across the paper on the floor. He sat up in bed holding a piece of paper, waiting for Kyla. She walked in and stopped when she saw him.
“I’m sorry,” he blurted out the words on the paper.
She wanted to smile, but refused to let him think he was out of trouble. She dropped her head trying to regain her composure. “Is this your way of apologizing?” she asked, holding a piece of paper identical to the one in his hands.
“Yes.”
She looked at him sitting in the same spot where just a few days ago he demanded she be. “So you thought you’d do what you wanted to ask, me to do?”