Finally, You and Me

“I see,” he replied with a pause.

  “What about you?” she asked turning the table. “What do you do in Ohio?”

  His brow rose quizzically. “You know Bryant and I are joining forces?”

  “Yes, I heard that,” she said with a nod. “So you’re moving back to Detroit?”

  Darius shrugged his broad shoulders. “We haven’t decided. We’ve been toying around with the idea of me heading up a satellite office in Ohio. I’m just so involved with a lot of community projects, worthy projects that will be hard to walk away from.”

  “What kind of projects?” Alexa asked, setting her half-eaten container to the side. She took a sip of wine before rearing back on one of the pillows, giving him her full attention.

  “Well, I am on the board of directors at Frederick Douglas Academy, which is a private elementary and high school for African-American boys. I’m also coordinator of a related program that encourages fathers to be men and either reclaim their families and position in the home or at least be an active force in their children’s lives.”

  Alexa’s eyebrows rose with surprise, clearly impressed by his endeavors. “How admirable,” she said. “How did you get involved in such projects?”

  “After attending the first Million Man March, me and some buddies decided that we weren’t going to return home with the same attitude we had when we left. The school concept was always in the works for Reggie, this friend of mine who is an ex-cop turned educator. He belongs to this huge AME church that wanted to get two schools started—one for all boys, the other for girls. The need for the all-boys school presided over the girl’s school. All Reggie had to do was get several members of the congregation who were teachers and put people in place. I came in initially as a computer instructor, but felt compelled to do more. When Reggie suggested that I sit on the board, I jumped at the chance.”

  “That’s very commendable of you, Darius,” Alexa praised. She thought she was doing something by coordinating the annual food drive at her church. Yet, here was a man who was really extending himself to his community.

  “That’s because I love kids,” he wistfully replied. “Kids sometimes get the short end of the stick with their parents having to work to make ends meet or not having positive role models in the home at all. I like to fill the gap any way I can.”

  He sat his empty container to the side and reached out for her. Alexa crawled over to him from her spot and planted herself between his outstretched legs.

  Darius felt the crotch of his pants stiffen as her denim-covered behind snuggled against him. Slipping his arms around her waist, he kissed the back of her neck. Man, I can sit here like this with her forever, he thought to himself. He sucked at her neck gently, then more fervently. He could tell that she was succumbing to his touch, judging by the soft whimpers escaping her throat. His hands traveled down her abdomen and played at the button on the front of her jeans.

  “Hey!” she warned, batting his hand away. “I’m not giving in to you that quickly.”

  “And why not?” he breathed into her ear as he hugged her tightly against him.

  “Because if I do, most of your trip is going to be spent in bed.”

  “Would that so bad?” he replied with a laugh.

  Alexa reared forward and peered at him over her shoulder. “Yes, because I want to spend some time with you outside of my home. I want to show you the city and I want to take our time and do this right.”

  “Okay, okay,” Darius conceded, releasing her from his hold.

  Alexa quickly scampered from her place on the floor and picked up the weekly entertainment paper from the coffee table. He watched with glowing eyes as she proceeded to run a list of activities by him. He was glad that his anger had caused him to hop the first plane to Denver, glad that they were able to reconcile and most definitely glad that he was able to be in her presence. Maybe Alexa didn’t know this, but he would run to the corners of the earth for her.

  Chapter 10

  The weekend drifted by slowly. Each minute was well spent as Darius and Alexa languished in each other’s company. When they weren’t cuddled up in bed watching television or lying in each other’s arms listening to jazz music, they exchanged introspective thoughts as they sat in a hot bubble bath. As Darius smoothed scented suds across Alexa’s moist skin, he dared to visit their past. Their laughter echoed off of the bathroom walls when he recalled the day they first met. In turn, they quietly snuggled when they reflected on the first time they made love. Later that afternoon, restlessness set in and the pair decided to get out.

  Alexa gave Darius the standard guided tour of Denver that she usually gave family, friends and sometimes clients when they came down for a visit. As they drove through the downtown area, she pointed out common attractions such as the gold-domed Capitol building, City Park, Museum of Natural History, United State Mint and the Black American West Museum as well as other well-known sites. There was also the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the old D& F Tower. Alexa had always enjoyed history, especially Denver history. To her, the history behind the landmarks was as interesting as the actual structures themselves.

  The place she saved for last was her favorite. The historic Lo Do, a mile-long strip of old warehouses converted into artsy coffeehouses, quaint bookstores, funky fashionable boutiques, unique restaurants, wine bars and pubs. Like two lovesick teenagers, they strolled hand-in-hand giggling and occasionally stealing kisses, totally oblivious to those around them.

  They ducked in and out of the doorways of different shops admiring the eclectic wares.

  Just as they exited a watch shop, a hat boutique caught Darius’s eye. “Sweetness, let’s check out the hats,” he suggested, nudging his head in the direction of classy-looking haberdashery.

  “Sure,” Alexa warmly replied, loving the affectionate name he had just called her.

  They entered the store to find a young, serious-looking brother sporting a skullcap who was reading a book behind the register. He glanced up as they approached. “Can I help you folks?”

  “Yeah, brother, I like your stuff,” Darius announced, picking up a black hat with a wide brim. It reminded Alexa of those hats worn by many hip-hop artists. Darius placed it on his head and took in his reflection in the nearby mirror.

  “Looks good on you, bro,” the young man complimented.

  Alexa nodded. She had always liked seeing men in hats. The hat added to Darius’s sexy edge. Darius turned her way and struck a Mack daddy pose with a grim expression and his arms crossed before his broad chest.

  “What you think?”

  “You look delicious,” she replied and playfully licked her lips in a slow tantalizing way to prove her point.

  “Why don’t you get one?” Darius suggested, handing the hat to the brother for purchase.

  Alexa shook her head. “I don’t think I look good in hats.”

  “Come on,” Darius egged. “I bet you look fine. You just have to find the right one.” His eyes roamed over the wide array of wool, felt, knit, velvet, straw, fur and leather head garments before settling on a deep plum-colored velvet hat with a fold-up brim. The hat matched perfectly with the plum velvet jeans and matching vest she wore.

  Darius placed the hat on her head and turned up the brim. “See, you look good, girl.”

  “Let me look.” Alexa peered into the mirror and actually liked what she saw.

  “It does look pretty nice, but I probably won’t wear it.”

  “You will because I’m buying it,” he informed her as he smacked her on the rear.

  Alexa wanted to pout, but she knew what he said was true.

  After making their purchase, they exited the shop and continued on their way when Alexa spotted two familiar faces. Vernita Bradshaw and Genevieve McElroy were two older women who were deemed Mothers at the church that Alexa attended. Since her trip to Detroit, she hadn’t been to church and she was sure that the two had noticed.

  Darius felt her tense under his grasp and he turned
to find out what was going on.

  “Just play it cool,” she whispered through the smile on her face. “These two women coming our way belong to my church.”

  “Hi, baby!” the heavier Mother Bradshaw greeted.

  “Mother Bradshaw and Mother McElroy.” Alexa greeted each woman with a hug.

  Besides being dedicated parishioners, the two women were known for keeping everyone, especially the younger, tempted members of the church on their toes. A couple times when men in the church asked Alexa out, the two had advised that she not let her single status cloud her pathway to righteousness. She glanced over at Darius, who stood smiling. She loved him with all of her heart. She hoped that the women, no matter how much she loved them, would abstain from comment about them being together.

  “How are you?” Alexa asked stepping back, holding Mother Bradshaw’s hands in her own.

  “Blessed, child, and you?” the woman asked, peering over Alexa’s shoulder at Darius.

  “I’m fine,” she replied. She turned and held out her arm for Darius. “I would like you both to meet a friend of mine. Mother Vernita Bradshaw, Mother Genevieve McElroy, this is Darius Riverside.”

  “How are you?” Mother McElroy greeted with a warm smile and firm handshake.

  “Do you go to church, young man?” Mother Bradshaw quizzed.

  “When I can, ma’am,” Darius quickly replied.

  “When you can?” Mother McElroy repeated.

  “Why don’t you bring him to church with you tomorrow, child?” Mother Bradshaw suggested.

  Alexa was distracted by their inquisition. She prayed that Darius wouldn’t be turned off by their many questions.

  “Alexa?” Mother Bradshaw repeated her name.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “I said are you bringing your friend to service tomorrow?”

  Alexa quickly searched Darius’s face for a way out. “Well, I’m not sure. Uh, aren’t you leaving tomorrow?”

  “Right after church,” Darius smoothly replied as he took her hand in his.

  The two older women who appeared to be holding their breath in anticipation for an answer sighed with relief in unison.

  “Then I guess we will see you tomorrow,” Alexa replied.

  “It was nice meeting you,” Darius said, shaking both of their hands.

  Alexa laughed as they departed.

  “What’s so funny?” Darius asked, recapturing her hand in his.

  “You,” Alexa replied. “The Mothers are going to have a field day tomorrow.”

  That evening, the two had a quiet, romantic dinner at a mountaintop restaurant with a gorgeous view of the city lights glimmering below. The faint glow from the flickering candle in the centerpiece provided a cozy atmosphere as the two sat talking and holding hands between bites of blackened salmon and shrimp scampi. Their meal ended with Darius feeding them both a decadent chocolate soufflé mousse. He scooped up a spoonful of the tasty treat and fed Alexa the first bite.

  She squirmed with delight as the velvety, sweet chocolate melted on her tongue. “Mmm, delicious,” she hummed, smacking her lips.

  Darius continued to alternate feedings between the two of them when he reached the bottom of the bowl.

  Alexa watched as Darius scooped up the last bit of dessert and held it to her lips. “No thanks.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked, twirling the spoon temptingly before her eyes. “This is your favorite.”

  Alexa smiled. “I’m sure.”

  “Okay, don’t say I didn’t offer,” he warned as he raised the utensil to his mouth. Slowly inserting the spoon into his mouth, he proceeded to remove it in the same manner, pulling it from his full, succulent lips. Exaggerating his expressions, he moved the dessert through his mouth as if it was the best he ever tasted, licking his lips enticingly. His gesture was deliberate as to arouse her and Alexa was ashamed to admit that it was working.

  “Mmm, that was delicious,” he replied. “But baby, your chocolate is the best!”

  “Ooh, you are nasty!” she laughed with a playful roll of her eyes.

  Darius reached over, taking her hands into his. “Yeah, nasty for you,” he solemnly replied, kissing her palms. With his skillful tongue, he began licking the delicate tips of her fingers one by one as he gazed deeply into her eyes.

  Alexa squirmed in her seat as a light chill ran down her back. “Let’s go home,” she whispered.

  Darius nodded and waved for the server to bring his check.

  Soft jazz music played and Alexa snuggled against Darius’s shoulder enjoying the relaxing atmosphere in the car. Darius held her against him with a protective arm making her feel secure. Alexa’s eyelids fluttered as sleep threatened to come over her.

  She tried to stifle a yawn, but Darius was so attentive that he sensed her exhaustion. “You sleepy?” he asked, caressing the back of her neck. His action, along with the soft sounds of Boney James filling the car, relaxed her.

  Although she didn’t want to admit it, Alexa nodded in response. She didn’t want the night to end because that meant one thing, their days together were numbered and Darius would be on a plane tomorrow evening. Alexa had been spoiled by his affection and didn’t know if she could stand being apart from him again.

  “Go on and go to sleep,” he urged in a gentle tone. “I’ll wake you when we get home.”

  Alexa yearned to enjoy their quiet ride around town, listening to the music, but her body had other ideas. Finally, when she couldn’t take it any longer, within minutes she was fast asleep.

  “Babe, are you ready?” Alexa heard Darius call from the bedroom.

  She had been standing before the mirror applying her makeup. She could barely concentrate for thoughts of Darius’s impending departure had already begun to consume her. He would be leaving that evening and she wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye. Since putting off his proposal for further scrutiny, Alexa desperately wanted to know what was in store for them. The question haunted her because she realized that her love for Darius was as strong as it had been nine years back. Because of this, she did not want her decision to accept his proposal to be made in haste. It had to be made at the right time after considering many factors.

  A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. When she opened it, she found Darius standing there with a smile on his face. He looked handsome in a light yellow shirt and tailored navy trousers. “You ready?”

  She nodded with downcast eyes. “I just need to put on my shoes.”

  “Are you okay, boo?” he asked, noticing how she avoided his gaze.

  Again, she nodded.

  Darius stepped inside the bathroom and enveloped her in his warm embrace. “I know when something is wrong with my baby.”

  “I’m fine. Really,” she replied as she looked up into his eyes. She saw the concern he had for her and she didn’t want to bother him with her own insecurities. Rather than confess her fear, she came up with something less threatening. “I’m just nervous about the Mothers of the church. Sometimes they can be so persistent and direct. I just hope you won’t let them rub you the wrong way.”

  Darius chuckled. “My dear, I have a God-fearing, upstanding grandmother and mother. My Pops, brother and I had to endure them and three nosy, wisecracking sisters. Believe me when I say, I know how to handle the women.”

  “Yeah, I bet you do,” she replied with a hopeful smile. She just prayed that he was as confident.

  “I handle you well now, don’t I?” he quipped as he kissed her neck.

  “Now you need to quit,” she warned him. “We are about to go to church!”

  Darius chuckled as he released his hold to allow her to continue to get ready.

  New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was a tall brick structure that took up two blocks in an established, middle-class, predominantly black neighborhood. The church was a pillar in the immediate community and influenced its neighbors with its strong outreach programs and moving worship services.

  Service had already
begun when Alexa and Darius entered the sanctuary after the responsive reading. They were lucky to find a pew in the back with space for both of them. As Alexa slipped out of her coat, her eyes scanned the room for Teressa and Lewis. She sighed with relief when she spotted the couple sitting closer to the front. She wasn’t ready to introduce her friend to Darius just yet and decided that she would try to make a break immediately following services.

  The songs were uplifting and the readings were powerful. Pastor Richard Davis was a dynamic teacher and motivator. His sermon really hit home and touched on some points that captured Alexa’s attention.

  Wiping the sweat from his brow with a towel, Pastor Davis sat his glasses to the side. “I’m telling you, brothers and sisters, that there are a lot of temptations out there designed to keep you from hearing God’s word.”

  The congregation responded with “Amen.”

  “You don’t have to go to the movies anymore to be influenced by temptation. It’s up in your face on daytime television talk shows and the soap operas. Then there are some of these music videos encouraging youth to partake in illicit sex and violence. And let’s not forget the fact that you can learn how to make a bomb on the Internet. What I am saying to you, my brothers and sisters, is that you need to turn away from these distractions and let the Lord deal with the adversity.”

  Alexa shifted in her seat as the message struck an interesting chord. She glanced at Darius, who was listening intently, offering an occasional nod. When the service drew to an end and the congregation was called to stand, Alexa slipped into her coat. Darius looked down at her and leaned over, seizing her hand.

  “Trying to escape?” he teased.

  She smiled. “I just like to beat the crowds.”

  Darius feigned disappointment. “I wanted to make an impression on the Mothers.”

  Alexa didn’t say anything. The last thing she wanted was for him to not receive his blessing.

  “But if you want to go, we can.”

  “No, I’m sure the Mothers will be looking for us,” she replied.

  As if speaking them to life, as soon as the Pastor dismissed them, Alexa turned to find Mother Bradshaw, Mother McElroy and three other mothers of the church.