Well later than they’d expected, Jayde found herself right back in front of the closet. It was after five and the gathering had already begun. “I just don’t know, Tyson, what should I wear?”
Tyson, who’d dressed in a pair of ripped blue jeans and a black tee, sidled up beside her. “Well, what about this one?” He pointed to a dress that was pale bluish-purple.
“Okay.” Jayde pulled the dress off the hanger and in moments stood in front of Tyson with a question in her eyes.
It was simple but very elegant. With thin straps tied behind her neck, it showed off her full chest and defined her waist. Her shoulders were erect and even though she trembled slightly. The dress fell to just below her knees, showing off her smooth legs.
“Stunning,” he said with a healthy appraisal of her body.
“I guess so.” She attempted a smile. “Well, since I am already an hour late, I guess I should be going.”
Tyson gathered her close. “You will be fine. Don’t forget, I will be near if you need me.”
Those words made her feel like she was ready after all. “Okay.” Jayde walked to the door and picked up her purse.
“Umm, Jayde?”
“Yes, Tyson?” She turned her head fast causing her hair to billow around her shoulders.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” He stood there with his muscular arms crossed over his powerfully built chest.
Damn, he’s fine! She cocked her head to the side and looked at him. “I don’t think so.”
“I do,” he drawled as he crooked that finger at her.
“What makes you think that will work?” she asked, arching a brow at him.
“Come here, woman. Come here and kiss your husband,” he ordered.
“No,” she refused, trying to keep the smirk off her face.
“No?” His eyebrows rose in disbelief.
“No. You come to me.”
“As you wish, my little rose.” He began to stalk her and she moved back until she was against the door. “As you wish.”
He slid his tongue into her waiting mouth and dueled with hers. Jayde moved into his body and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Feel better now?” He asked as he pulled back.
“Much,” she moaned. “Can’t we just stay here and forget the rest of the world even exists?”
“Of course. But your grandparents would be disappointed.” He caressed her cheek. “Go on. Have some fun.”
It was a very reluctant Jayde who headed out of the hotel to her car. So focused on her upcoming di-lemma, she didn’t notice that Tyson had emerged from the hotel behind her.
Sliding behind the wheel, she turned on the engine and pulled out onto the street, heading for the park. Upon arriving, she parked her car and sat for a moment to gather herself. Jayde could see her family laughing and running around in the grass.
With a firm nod to herself, she left her car and headed towards them. As she walked, her eyes strayed to the park’s basketball court and just about tripped over her own feet. Her husband was there watching the action. She could have sworn he nodded at her.
Jayde walked confidently—on the outside—up to her family. Not quite as ready as she thought she was, Jayde approached her grandparents first. “Hello, Mey-maw, Pey-paw.” She kissed them both.
“Jayde, so glad to see you,” Regina said as she kissed her back.
“Hello, Sister,” a woman’s voice reached her.
“Hello, Kinden.” Jayde didn’t even have to turn around; she would know that loathing voice anywhere. But turn she did and met her sister’s glare. “Glad to see you are doing well; I was sorry to hear about your accident.”
Kinden scoffed and tossed her head back. “Like you even care! You didn’t come down to see me!” Or take care of me, was what she didn’t say.
“I don’t want to argue with you, Kinden,” Jayde said as she moved away to greet more cousins.
Kinden followed and was soon joined by Ron. “Then why are you here? What reason could you have for coming?” Kinden’s scornful voice raked Jayde’s heart.
She turned away from the relative she’d been hugging and faced her two eldest siblings. “I don’t know what I did to make you hate me, but let’s just not talk to one another. And why wouldn’t I be here?” she asked. “The last time I checked, I was still a member of this family, no matter how much I wish I wasn’t. And regardless of how low you think I am for not dropping my whole life and running down here to take care of you when you fractured your ankle, I would never miss Mey-maw and Pey-paw’s anniversary.” Forcing herself to relax, Jayde took a deep breath. “So unless you have something nice to say to me, just keep your flippin’ mouths shut around me!” Jayde walked off and glanced over to the basketball court. Tyson was still there e watching the game.
“Hello, Daughter,” her mother’s voice reached her.
“Mother.” Jayde responded with the same amount of feeling. None.
“I see you finally decided to come home.” No hug for her daughter.
“I am here for the anniversary. I will be leaving in a few days.” Jayde wished she had Tyson beside her as she spoke to her hateful mother.
Porscha Porter huffed. “Your father won’t like that.”
“So what else is new? I haven’t been able to measure up since I was born.” Jayde walked off. She said hello to her other brothers Sam and Darnell, and her other sister Chantelle, who was Darnell’s twin.
Sitting with some cousins, Jayde felt a hand rest on her shoulder, caressing her bare skin. She felt im-mediate revulsion. Shrugging away from the touch, she glanced over her shoulder and into the dark eyes of George.
“Hello, George,” she said, determined to be polite.
“Hello, Jayde.” He leaned over to kiss her but she backed away.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Getting a kiss from my fiancée.” His hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
“I am not your fiancée and let go of me.” She pulled away from him.
“You will be soon.” His eyes ate up her face, sending more chills down her spine.
She shook her head. “No. George, I meant what I said in New York; I want nothing to do with you.”
His own eyes narrowed into slits and he advanced on her slowly. “I don’t think…” He stopped and looked towards the court. “Excuse me, but there is some white boy looking over here. I’m going to go find out what the hell he thinks he’s looking at. We will continue this later.”
Jayde followed his line of sight and sure enough Tyson was standing and looking directly at them. She shook her head slightly but knew it didn’t matter; Tyson would not stop defending her.
Tyson watched as the muscular black man strode across the grass towards him. The second he’d touched Jayde, Tyson had narrowed his gaze; when he’d bent down to kiss her, Tyson had growled in his throat; but as soon as his hand had reached out and grabbed his wife, it’d been on. Tyson’s warrior body was ready for battle.
“What are you looking at, white boy?” George snarled as he approached the ball court.
Tyson shrugged. “Just wondering what kind of guy has to manhandle a woman to get her to pay attention to him.” He totally sized up his opponent. It wouldn’t be an even match between them and he wouldn’t back down, even if he’d seen Jayde shake her head against the inevitable confrontation.
“That’s my fiancée, boy, not that it’s any of your business.” George gestured for the ball. “You play?”
“Yep,” Tyson said. “Didn’t look like she wanted anything to do with you.”
“You like looking at black women, man?” he sneered.
“I like looking at beautiful women.” Tyson stepped onto the court and waited for George to join him.
“Well, keep your eyes off mine,” George warned.
“Name’s Kincade. What’s yours?”
“Not that I see us being friendly and all, but it’s George.” He threw the ball straight into Tyson’s stomach.
The game was on.