Just before she got out of earshot she heard Sienna tease Nathanael, “Bet you screamed like a beyotch.”
Nathanael laughed. “For the tattoo? Not too much. For the chest waxing that came before?Cher,I’m surprised you girls didn’t hear my screams while in Paris!”
Chantelle hurried to her room, seeking a safe place to deal with her feelings. Hoping it would be a long while before Dustin came to join her.
No such luck. It seemed that Dustin had made haste to put his equipment away and see Nathanael out, because it wasn’t long before he was upstairs, closing the door to their —no—herroom.
“Hey,” he said as he walked in.
She gave him a quick frown, just a tad irritated at losing her solitude. But said, “Hey,” back anyway. She waited for him to challenge her about the argument earlier, but instead, he sat on the bed, patted the mattress next to him and asked about her trip.
A little bemused, she sat as she was told, and gave him a recap of all the excitement, while Dustin listened with a smile hovering about her lips.
“I’m glad you got some time with the girls,” he said. “I think you needed it.”
She bristled. “Is that you harping on how uptight I am again?”
He shook his head and said placatingly, “No, sweetheart. I’m just happy for you. For absolutely no reason. Just happy for you.”
Not a feeling she was used to, she realized. Unconsciously, her hand rose to her belly, and it came home to her how often she perceived herself and her baby as being all on their own.
He spotted the gesture and asked with concern. “You okay?”
She found herself smiling at him. “I’m great.” Impulsively, she heard herself say, “I’ve decided on a name.”
He arched his brows, waiting patiently.
“Kai Clark,” she said. “Whether it’s a boy or a girl.”
He repeated the name as if tasting it in his mouth, and then nodded. “I love it.”
She felt warm pleasure roll through her until she reminded herself that this washerbaby, andherchoice. The last person’s approval she needed for her baby’s name was—
And then he kissed her. Light and soft, far from the passion and hunger of the time they’d made love. This kiss was sweet and quick. Too quick, because the moment she opened her mouth to allow him access, it was over.
She looked at him, eyes wide in shock as he rose to leave. “What was that for?” she asked, perplexed, praying he couldn’t hear in her voice her deeply buried wish for him to do it again.
He flashed her another smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Only because you’re beautiful and because you’re you.”
And there he left her, sitting on the edge of the bed, in wonder.
Chapter 26
Chantelle and Sienna sat side by side at her huge desk, looking at the large computer screen with graphs and projections displayed on it. Sienna had the floor, and was excitedly explaining how much progress they’d made on Chantelle’s new project; the loan facility specifically targeting black American women.
“The new publicity material is ready for your approval,” Sienna was saying, clicking on a series of layouts and artworks for digital and print media. “We’ve also made contact with several social and cultural organizations across the United States, especially those providing assistance and support to our target groups. And,” she added triumphantly, “already fourteen more community colleges and training institutions on the east coast have agreed to approve applicants who cite us as their financial backers, to reduce the wait time for financing.”
Sienna gave her a proud grin. “This is going to be so awesome!”
Chantelle took a long sip of water, sat back, and gave Sienna a warm, genuine smile. “I’m proud of you. You took this project and ran with it. Even though you haven’t been with me long, Sienna, I want you to know how glad I am to have you on board.”
Sienna only had a couple of seconds to hide the same surprise Chantelle felt; it wasn’t often that she shared her emotions so openly. Maybe pregnancy was making her soft.
Then Sienna blurted, “I put in my application. I should be getting word any day now.”
Chantelle sat up straighter in her seat, almost dislodging Minerva, who was dead weight in her lap, and fast asleep. “You’re applying for a business loan?”
Sienna nodded, almost sheepishly. “I have some ideas. I thought it would be good to see what I can do with them.”