Chapter 9

Denzel opened his eyes. He looked around, and it was still dark. He tried getting up but felt someone lying on him. “Shit! he let out.“ The memories of what had happened earlier came flooding back to him. What was he doing with this woman who almost ruined his reputation back at the university? The shame of what had happened almost made him feel like taking his life when the stigma was just too much to bear. He was kicked off the football team because Coach Steven felt he was a disgrace. He almost withdrew from school because his father had wanted to withdraw his monthly stipends, and here he was, stark naked with the same girl who had almost cost him everything. He looked at her sexy figure, silky skin, firm rounded buttocks, and the good sex she had just given him. “Damn, she's so good” he breathed as he ran his fingers down her spine to her ass. Eva felt the sensation as she wriggled and snuggled back into his arms. Just then, flashes of what he had done to Kate earlier came into his head. He quickly picked up his phone and dialed Kim's number, pushing off Eva as he sat up. “Hey, Kim, what's up?” he asked as Kim answered the phone. “I'm good, still at the hospital.” “Okay, good. How's she doing?” “She's much better now. She'll be home by morning.” “Oh. Did she agree to keep her mouth shut? Did she agree to the pay raise?” “Well, I guess she did, but you'll definitely have to apologize to her.” “Yeah, I guess I do. I just wanted to check how she's doing. Got to go” he sighed and ended the call. He checked the time; it was still 09:15 pm. He quickly woke Eva, but she ignored him and slept on. “Hey, Eva, wake up, he said, tapping her again.” “Hey, Denzel” she said as she opened her eyes. “Come on, you've got to go. I need to get some rest.” “What? But we ain't done yet. I came so we can talk things over” she said, sitting up. “Eva, there's nothing to talk about. I'm going to call a cab for you now. Just get dressed and go home” Denzel said as he threw her clothes to her, forcing her to get dressed almost immediately. “Hey, take it easy” Eva said, trying to get him to chill a little, but he wasn't going to have any of that. She reluctantly got dressed while he quickly put on his pants. The cab arrived just in time as she finished dressing. He quickly dragged her by the hand out of the house and into the car. “I'd appreciate it if you don't come to my house again without my permission. Good night.” he said as he closed the door and the cab drove off. * * * “I just got off the phone with Mr. Denzel. He called to know how you are doing. Also, he wanted to apologize for his rude behavior.” Kim said as she entered the hospital room. Kate frowned when she heard the name of her boss or perhaps, her ex-boss. She had already quit before he gruesomely mistreated her. She felt like not going back to that monster, but Kim had talked to her. She knew her boss was actually a good man who had been through a lot in life, but that didn't mean he had to let out his pain on other people. He had tortured her in every way possible since she started working for him, but all she could do was endure it. Perhaps he had learned his lessons the hard way and might want to make amends. Besides, the pay raise was just too much for her to reject. With such an amount of money, she could actually take care of her sick mother comfortably and also have enough to take care of her personal needs. “Hey there, are you okay?” Kim asked, seeing that she was lost in thought. “Yeah, I'm fine. Don't you wanna go home?” Kate asked. “I’d love to, but I just wanna be here, just in case you need anything.” “Oh no, please, you've got to go. You look so worn out like you could use some rest. Please just go, I'll be fine.” Kate said, holding her hand. “Are you sure you're gonna be fine?” “Of course, yes. I'll be fine. Just go and get some rest.” “Okay then. I'll be here tomorrow morning so I can take you home.” “Okay, thank you.” “Just stay strong and take care of yourself.” Kim said as she patted her head. “Yeah, I will. Good night.” Kate said. “Good night, dear.” Kim replied and left. * * * His lips crushed hers, his hands holding her face. Her eyes went wide in shock, her body frozen for a moment. And then she melted. Her hands held his waist, his firm body pressing into hers slightly as their lips moved together. He pulled away; their lips were wet as he stared into her eyes. The warm, rough texture of his hands on her skin felt incredible. He slowly smiled, then laughed lightly. “What?!” she demanded as she covered her mouth. “Am I a bad kisser?” she grumbled, and he bit his lip, shaking his head slowly. “Then what?” she pressed, and he took a deep breath, sighing happily as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Kate, I have been trying to figure out all day how to tell you that I...” he hesitated, closing his eyes as he pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you. It's always been you for me.” he whispered. She gasped, her insides turning and clenching almost painfully. “Wh-wh-what?!” she stuttered, and he laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her up off the ground, spinning her around. She held onto him tightly, closing her eyes as her heart raced. He stopped, not letting her go. She pulled back, looking into his eyes, and felt her throat close up. The look in his eyes. It was that look she always read about in the silly romance novels her cousin wanted her to read all the time in high school. She had always sworn how amazing it would be to have someone look at her like that. Kate never understood it, but that was because she was convinced she had never seen that look, at least not from someone who meant the most to her. “You look upset.” Denzel muttered, his face falling with disappointment as she stayed frozen. He set her down slowly, her hands still on his shoulders. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come right out and say it. I just “No! No, I just, I'm shocked!” Kate insisted, grabbing his hands and smiling. “I never thought you'd love me back” she breathed, and he smiled too. This was the ‘warm butterflies in your stomach’ kind of romance she had read about. It had to be. He reached up and pulled her closer to him. They held one another as their lips locked again. His arms were firm, his hands pressed into her back as their lips molded and brushed against each other. Without thinking, she let her lips part, her tongue brushing his bottom lip. “Come here.” he turned and fell back, pulling her on top of him. Her body swayed, falling into his arms. “Denz” his lips covered hers as he held her tightly. Their legs pressed together, his stomach and hips feeling so hard against hers. Panic consumed her as they kissed, her mind fretting that it was definitely a bad idea to fall in love with a Casanova. “Kate, you are so beautiful.” he whispered, and she exhaled sharply, her eyes flashing open as she stared at him. He was running his fingers under the straps of her bra, his eyes almost glimmering in the bright light that hung above them as he smiled up at her. “Don't say silly things like that.” Kate grumbled, smiling, and he bit his lip as his fingers coaxed the straps off her shoulders. “Silly? It's true.” he muttered, and she blushed, shaking her head. And every time I see you, the more beautiful you become, he whispered, his eyes seeming to study her whole face. She felt his fingers brush along her exposed collarbones and trembled, feeling embarrassed again as she pressed her face into his. “Well, you are really handsome too!” she complimented, and he laughed happily, his hands slowly running over her shoulders and along her braids in a way that sent shocking waves down her spine. He tugged on them a bit, and then she felt her hair give in as he started running his fingers through it. It fell over her shoulders and around them, waving and curling in an unruly mess.