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  He arrived within the hour. Reba met him at the door. He didn’t have to ask to know that Naomi hadn’t returned. His call must have stirred her concern.

  “Still haven’t heard from her.”

  “May I go up to her room?”

  “Sure. I hadn’t thought to check on her items in there.”

  “Not your fault.” He ran up the stairs, but then had to ask, “Which room?”

  Reba directed him and he entered slowly. The room was neat and clean. He looked for any evidence that she’d left. He opened the closet and grew immediately perplexed. A small suitcase stood in the small area. Yet Reba mentioned seeing her leave with a suitcase.

  He looked around a bit more carefully. The suitcase contained her clothing and toiletries. He noted that the case was already packed and not many personal items remained on the vanity.

  “Any clues?” Reba stepped into the room and surveyed it.

  “No.”

  Zack’s glance swept the room and paused at the night-stand. He walked over, his forehead wrinkled at the sight of a small book on the otherwise empty area. The dark blue book looked like a journal. His hand paused over the cover as he sifted through various thoughts about whether to read it or not.

  “The suitcase she used didn’t have all these stickers. I would have remembered.”

  “Maybe she ran an errand and got caught up. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

  Reba nodded, but didn’t look convinced. “Come down and drink some tea with me.”

  “Please don’t lecture me. It’s been a long day. Everyone is on Team Naomi. I get it.”

  “Don’t get defensive. I haven’t had a chance to get you all to myself in a while.”

  “Sorry.” He hadn’t considered Reba’s feelings at all. Zack didn’t want to leave, but he couldn’t really stay in Naomi’s room.

  “Are you here to set things right?”

  “I hope so.”

  “There’s the little boy I came to love. That expression should work,” she nudged him.

  Downstairs, he accepted the tea. Thankfully, Reba didn’t push him for conversation. Did he dare leave without talking to her? Could he risk that she’d be here when he returned?

  The front door opened. Zack and Reba hurried to the foyer. They both expressed their frustration when the new arrival happened to be Zack’s mother. She stopped in surprise at their reaction.

  “That’s a first. I don’t think that I’ve ever come home to find such an unwelcoming greeting.”

  “Sorry, Frannie,” Reba answered. “We were waiting for Naomi.”

  “Oh, she called me to say that she was heading to the movies and dinner with a friend.”

  “A friend?” Zack didn’t know of any friends in Seattle. Not that he was around Naomi all the time, but she’d never mentioned anyone. Now she was going to movies and dinner? That seemed a bit much for a casual acquaintance.

  “I didn’t ask for details. She’s a grown woman.” His mother paused. “Stop thinking the worst of people. I’m sure she’s made friends with a few people here. I’m glad she’s not cooped up like a princess locked in a castle waiting for you to come rescue her.”

  Zack didn’t stick around much longer. He didn’t know what time she’d return. He’d rather not sit around looking at his watch every other minute. Hopefully, tomorrow he’d get a chance to talk to her before having to head to Haiti.

  Despite Reba and his mother’s protests, he hugged them and then left. He’d had a long day full of closure and starting afresh. He was exhausted.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Naomi pulled out her suitcase from the closet. She finished packing the remaining clothes, although she didn’t have much. However, she’d accumulated a stockpile of computer games for when she had her away basketball games and a few items of clothing. Instead of dealing with the added weight, she’d taken the items to the post office.

  A car horn sounded.

  “Naomi, your ride is here.”

  Naomi headed for the stairs, taking her time down the steps with her suitcase.

  “I’ll see you in a bit, Reba.”

  “Have a safe trip.”

  “By the way, Zack called this morning to talk to you.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That you’d left.”

  “Thanks.” Naomi hoped that she was doing the right thing.

  What wasn’t going right was the weather. She wished that the day wasn’t rainy. Flying in bad weather scared her. Having to make the trip in a small jet didn’t help matters.

  “I’ll put your suitcase in the backseat. You’re my kind of girl, who knows how to pack light.” Brent met her at the door with an umbrella for shelter.

  “You know I’m feeling mighty nervous.”

  “Understandable, but I guarantee that you’ll be fine.”

  “You’re like the man behind the curtain. Everyone’s hopping to your beat, but they think it’s their own thoughts.”

  “I’m not sure. Are you insulting me?”

  Naomi laughed. “Just being honest.”

  “Okay.” Brent laughed. “Now, let’s get you to the airport.”

  Naomi tried to relax. She wanted to feel as confident as Brent seemed. As much as she tried, her stomach still stayed in knots. Plus she definitely couldn’t copy the smile he wore.

  “Zack called me a few minutes ago.”

  “He’s making the rounds. He called Reba, too.”

  “Sounded like a lost puppy. Wanted to postpone the trip.”

  “Why?”

  “He said that he can’t leave without talking to you.”

  “Did you talk him into going?”

  “I told him that he could also get the jet to bring him back quickly, but going on his quest was important for him.”

  They arrived at the airport and took the entrance for the smaller aircrafts. Naomi sat up, alert for any sign of Zack. Her mind screamed for her to retreat. What was she trying to prove? Why on earth had she let Brent talk her into this cockamamie idea?

  “I brought you to the plane, but this is where you get out and walk to the terminal.” Brent playfully pushed her.

  “You are irritating. I need the umbrella.” She watched Brent run around the car with suitcase in hand. She imagined that he was similar to an annoying big brother.

  They huddled under the umbrella and hurried to the terminal. She’d never been in this part of the airport. She’d thought it would be quiet, but it was fairly busy with businessmen and average people.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you were gone.” Zack spun her around. “You’d left.”

  “I brought her to you.” Brent stepped up between them. “She’s ready to go with you to Haiti.” To Zack’s silence, Brent continued. “Now it’s your turn to say the appropriate thing.”

  “Haiti?” Zack looked at her. Naomi couldn’t tell if he was happy or was just confused.

  “Um…excuse me, I need to go to the restroom.” Naomi headed for the escape route. She’d imagined that Zack would be surprised but thrilled that she’d taken the initiative to join him. Then she let Brent lead her down the fantasy path, and now she felt embarrassed and hurt.

  She stood in front of the mirror, examining her face. She splashed the water over her face, blending with the tears that spilled down her cheeks. She doused her face with another handful of cold water, hoping that her eyes wouldn’t show any telltale redness.

  A knock on the restroom door barely alerted her before the door opened and Zack strolled in. He didn’t check the stalls or look around in case any other women were in there. Instead he walked directly to her.

  “So Brent told me of his plan to put us together.”

  “Zack, let’s not pretend that we’re lovesick teens. What we shared was temporary. We both knew this going in. Although changing the rules midstream seemed like a good idea, it’s forcing you to do something that you don’t want to do. It’s encouraging me to walk away from what I know. Not terribly grow
n-up, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Always the logical one.” He tilted her chin and waited for her to look into his dark, piercing gaze. “Love doesn’t fit in a neat box.”

  Naomi stepped back. If she didn’t allow Zack to touch her, she could keep her thoughts on a rational path. Otherwise, his voice would seduce and turn her into a willing agent for anything he wanted.

  “I love you, Naomi.”

  Naomi blinked. She gritted her teeth to stay firm.

  “Not quite the place for my declaration. Circumstances and the time dictate that I not hold back.”

  A knock sounded on the door. This time Brent’s head popped into the doorway. “Guys, not that I’m rushing you, but I’ve got five angry women ready to beat me down.”

  “Naomi, I was a fool not to share what I was doing. I knew that going after this information would make others uncomfortable, so I flew solo on the project.” He took her hand. “I believed I didn’t need you. I was wrong. Do you love me?”

  “Yes. I said it before, but you weren’t ready.”

  “I’m a slow learner. Doesn’t affect what I know in my heart. I want you to be by my side when I meet my birth mother. I wouldn’t share a sacred moment if I wasn’t in love with you.”

  Brent interjected, “Don’t play hard to get, Naomi. Security is coming.”

  “Stop rushing me.” Naomi looked into Zack’s face. Unlike the moments in the past when he carried his bad-boy image like a proud armor, she saw only raw intensity. His pain was at the surface for the naked eye. She placed her hand over his heart and leaned her head against his chest. She closed her eyes and listened. Her grandmother always said if a woman listened closely, she could hear the true nature of any man.

  She looked up in his face. “I love you, Zack. I’d be happy to go to Haiti with you.” She hugged him.

  He cupped her face. She felt the moisture on her cheeks as her tears made their appearance. He kissed her softly on each side of her face. Then he hovered over her mouth before he kissed her with a soft innocence. “Consider this Part One.”

  Naomi almost fell over when he stopped kissing her to talk. She craved his touch and could go orgasmic from the touch of his lips on any part of her body. “Part Two had better be worth the wait.”

  The plane made a smooth entry into the airspace. Naomi offered a prayer of thanks after repeatedly praying for a safe takeoff. The flight attendant didn’t shirk her duty with the safety instructions. Naomi listened and looked on with a keen sense of responsibility.

  “Relax. Here’s a glass of champagne to take the edge off.” Zack took the glass from the flight attendant and handed it to her. She took two gulps and emptied the glass.

  “Whoa. Pace yourself.” He sipped his wine for emphasis.

  “It’s been a long morning.” She defended herself.

  “Mr. Keathley, Miss Venable, we have club sandwiches or hot meals for your selection. Since the captain has removed the seat-belt sign, you can move around the plane. The room behind is available if you wish to relax. Simply buzz when you need my services. I’ll be in the cockpit, a bit of multitasking.”

  “I’ll skip the meal for the moment,” Zack said.

  “Me too.” Naomi couldn’t possibly think about food. Her attention stayed on whether everything was in working order on the plane.

  “You are so tense,” Zack said when he took her hand. “Come with me.”

  “Where to?” She hadn’t even unbuckled her seat belt.

  “Let’s go explore the room in the back of the plane.”

  She was curious. Besides, if she could distract herself on this flight, she was game. She followed him through the door and couldn’t help but gasp. “This is unbelievable.”

  “To say the least.”

  “What does Brent do again?”

  “Besides being an agent, he’s had quite the career as a lawyer.”

  “A successful one, no less.” Naomi looked at the double-wide divan that served as a bed. Not only were flowers decorating the room, but a bottle of champagne was in a bucket of ice. The crooning soulful voice of an R&B singer was piped in.

  “Shall we enjoy?”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.” Naomi sat on the divan and reach for a chocolate-covered strawberry.

  Within an hour into the flight, Naomi felt herself relax. The champagne helped, but she also appreciated Zack’s effort with easy conversation. He’d dimmed the lights, softening their harshness.

  She patted the empty spot next to her. Instead of complying, he untied her boots and slipped them off, along with her socks. She wiggled her toes, glad that she’d bothered to get a pedicure.

  He slid his hands up from her ankles, along her calves, over her thighs until he reached the opening to her pants. He pulled down the zipper and she gladly wiggled out of the jeans.

  The cool air felt good against the heated flush that he created within her. Everything about this day, Zack’s declaration, this bumping aircraft, stirred a chord of excitement all sexual in nature that only one man could satisfy.

  “Remember I promised you Part Two.”

  “I hope you don’t think that you’re done.”

  “Not by a long shot. I just wanted to direct your attention.”

  “Enough talking.”

  “I can do other things with my mouth.”

  “And tongue.”

  He chuckled, his lips vibrated against her neck. In one fluid motion, he pulled her T-shirt over her head and laid it on top of her jeans.

  “I think modeling agrees with you. That two-piece red number is seriously devilish.”

  “I didn’t know if it would have come in handy for the trip.”

  “Glad to oblige.”

  He dipped his finger in the champagne and made a wet trail between her breasts. His finger art consisted of swirls over the cups of the bra sending the nerves into havoc. Her nipples responded as if the bra wasn’t in place. She arched up to entice him to use more than his finger to play with her.

  Instead he merely kissed the top of each breast with a mere peck. She almost cried out in agony. But still he continued his tease of her body in brutal fashion.

  The champagne followed by his tongue made figure eights down the center of her belly. She inhaled when he got to a ticklish spot just above the belly button.

  To her discomfort, he poured the champagne directly onto her and then lapped it up. His tongue awakened every nerve under her skin. Every inch of her craved more than his touch.

  Her hands ran through his hair and over his face, memorizing the contours before sinking her fingers into the thick muscles of his shoulders.

  His lips seared her skin with soft kisses where her panties had covered. Now she couldn’t stop from gasping and moaning. Her body writhed as if taken over by an unknown power.

  She might as well be under his spell, since his mouth and fingers were like finely tuned instruments that nestled against her and played with her desire.

  She craved him with a hunger that seemed deep and primal. As soon as he undressed and donned a condom, she pushed him back onto the divan and mounted him. His hands latched onto her hips for the ride. And she planned to take him on one that he’d never forget.

  While they flew tens of thousands of feet in the air, she wanted him to experience floating in a free fall with her. She tightened her thighs and rode him hard and fast, grinding with the need to satiate her hunger.

  His guttural cries stimulated her desire even more. She leaned over him looking into the face of the man she loved. The pure beauty of what they had between them stirred the longing in her. Her body and soul were primed.

  She quivered her release, controlling and releasing with as much mental strength as emotional. Like an expert dancer, he read her moves in advance and matched her climactic explosion with his.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Haiti greeted Zack with warm tropical breezes. He felt Naomi’s small squeeze on his arm. He touched her hand, grateful for her presence. Maybe
by the strength of their love he could make it through this emotional roller-coaster.

  They entered the airport, which was a bit subdued, probably due to the lateness of the day, along with the fact that no commercial jets had recently landed.

  Zack scanned the scattered crowd looking for anyone who might be waiting for him. Brent had reassured him that everything had been worked out.

  “Mr. Keathley?”

  Zack nodded and looked at the elderly man whose suit was so crisp that the fabric looked like it held his small frame upright.

  “I am Jean Guitard with Blessed Charity. Welcome to Haiti. Welcome home.”

  In a surprisingly swift move, the man grabbed his face and kissed him on both cheeks. Then he offered Naomi a similar greeting. While Zack remained surprised, she provided a chuckle.

  “This is Naomi Venable. She will be joining me.”

  “I’m sure you’re ready to get started, but since it’s so late in the day, I think it best to take you to your hotel. Some of the senior staff of the Blessed Charity would like to have dinner with you this evening.” He paused. Zack offered a brief nod. “Then in the morning, we’ll get started early. I will bring you to the place that was your home for five years.”

  Zack listened. All the details were nice to know, but he wanted to hear the most important detail. When would he get to meet his birth mother?

  “We’ve sent a letter on your behalf inviting your birth mother to meet you.”

  “Yes?”

  The old man shook his head. “As of yet, she has not responded.”

  “Oh.” Zack turned to Naomi.

  “Doesn’t mean that she won’t come,” Naomi said quickly.

  “Of course. Miss Venable is absolutely correct. I’m sure she is shocked.”

  “She knows that I’m here?”

  “We told her that you were coming. We only knew of your exact arrival date a couple days ago. We provided an update to her.” The man raised his wizen hands in appeal. “You must be patient.”

  Zack didn’t know how to be patient. Besides, did patience mean to wait a few hours, a day, a week? After all this time of wondering and now knowing, he wanted a conclusion.