FOREVER MINE(21)

Kyle’s fingers tightened around the long-stemmed glass he held in his hand. He’d promised himself before picking her up for dinner that he wouldn’t let her beauty go to his head. He had let his guard down around her once, but wouldn’t do so again.

Deep in thought, Kimara didn’t pay attention to the food before her. Instead, she was wondering what changes her decision would make in her life. What changes would it make in Kyle’s? She put her fork down and looked up at him. To her discomfort, he had been watching her.

She cleared her throat. “I’ve decided to marry you, Kyle.”

He continued to hold her gaze. “What made you change your mind?”

“I think you already know the answer to that. In fact, you stated it so eloquently in Mason’s office. I could never deny Poppa Garwood anything. A great-grandchild is something he wanted, and it’s now up to us to make sure he has one. I just hate that you didn’t settle down and give him one before he died.”

Kyle’s gazed hardened. “My grandfather knew my position on marriage, and I wasn’t about to go out and marry someone just to please him. My parents had a beautiful and meaningful marriage, and so did my grandparents. The one thing I apparently didn’t inherit from the Garwood men was their ability to choose a good woman. My mother and grandmother were caring, devoted, trustworthy woman. Instead, I fell in love with someone who had the morals of Jezebel.”

“There are good women out there, Kyle. Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough.”

His eyes narrowed. “I haven’t been looking at all because it was never my intent to marry. I don’t want any woman getting foolish ideas about me being struck with an arrow from Cupid’s bow, because it won’t happen. I won’t entrust my love with another woman again.”

Kimara wondered if his words had been meant as a warning to her. “She really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

He lifted a dark brow. “Who?”

“The woman you were engaged to marry.”

His chuckle was chilling. “Let’s just say that if anything, she taught me a very valuable lesson; only fools fall in love.” He picked up his fork to resume eating. “I assume you do like children.”

Kimara also picked up her fork, understanding completely that conversation pertaining to Kyle’s engagement was over. “Yes, very much so. I’ve always intended to marry one day and have at least two or three. I’d just never given any thought to having one so soon.”

Kyle nodded. “Are you familiar with the terms of my grandfather’s will?”

“Yes, I met with Mason again today, and he went over them with me.”

“Then you know Granddad was pretty specific about a number of things.”

Kimara fingered the rim of her wineglass. “Yes.”

“I’m to be married within sixty days of his death, and you’re to be pregnant within six months of our wedding day. So the way I see it, six months is the longest we’ll have to spend together, even less if you conceive right way. However, the will stipulated that we’re to still be married the day the child is born.”

Kimara’s hands were trembling slightly when you picked up her wineglass to take a sip. The thought of sleeping with Kyle was too much to think about. “Kyle, have you given thought to another option we can use . . . for me to become pregnant? We’ll still be married, but there wouldn’t have to be any actual physical contact between us.”

Kyle’s brow rose. “I assume you’re referring to artificial insemination?”

“Yes.”

“A procedure like that is out of the question. I’d never agree to it. There’s only one way I intend to get you pregnant, Kimara, and that’s the old-fashioned way.” He leaned back as far as his comfortable chair permitted and looked intently at her. “We need to have a clear understanding up front. If we decide to marry, we’ll sleep together.

Once you have conceived, I’ll be out of your life. You’ll be free to file for divorce right after the child is born, and I’ll give you custody. Is that agreeable to you?”

“Yes,” Kimara answered.

Kyle straightened back up in his seat. “By the way, how’s your cycle? Is it pretty regular?”

Kimara nearly choked on her wine, totally embarrassed by the question Kyle asked. He had inquired about the workings of her body as comfortably as if he’d been inquiring about the weather. “You have no right to ask about a thing like that. It’s none of your business.”

Kyle smiled. “I disagree, under the circumstances. Since you’ve agreed to marry me, I want to do whatever I have to do to stay within the allotted time. It will help matters if we could pinpoint a time of the month that you’ll be able to conceive, unless, however, you want to play it by ear and make love each and every single night until we finally--”

“All right, Kyle, I see your point.”

“I thought that you would.”

Kimara sighed. “I have a good guess but I’ll make an appointment to see my doctor this week to be accurate. I’m sure he’ll be able to provide me with the information you’re interested in.”

“Good. I want you to contact me as soon as you get it. We should try to plan our wedding and honeymoon around it. If things go as planned, you might be able to get pregnant during the two weeks of our honeymoon.”

“Two weeks?”

“Yes, have you forgotten that’s another thing stipulated in my grandfather’s will? Our honeymoon is supposed to last two weeks.”

A frown covered Kimara’s features. Unfortunately, she had forgotten. “In that case, I’d like to put off any plans of marriage and a honeymoon until after Valentine’s Day.”

A bemused look settled on Kyle’s face. “Why?”

“Stafford Publishing is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day charity ball, and I’m too involved in that to get away. Each year I’m doubly involved since the Golden Flame is also providing catering service. I’d rather be here during that time and not--”

“Someplace in my arms, making a baby,” Kyle finished for her.”

Kimara gave him a narrowed look. “I was going to say I’d rather be here than out of town during that time.”

“Same thing.” Kyle wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Valentine’s Day is more than a month from now. I see no reason why we can’t squeeze a wedding and a honeymoon in before then.”

“Why the rush, Kyle?” she snapped.

Kyle met her gaze, and for the life of him he didn’t have a reason to give her. He gave her the only reason he could think of. “We have only sixty days to marry, and week of that has gone by already. If we wait until after Valentine’s Day, that will leave only two weeks. I don’t like being that close to any deadline.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I can’t agree to anything before Valentine’s Day,

Kyle. I have too much to do.”

“I’m sure you’re very familiar with the word delegate, so pass on some of your duties to others. You have a partner at the Golden Flame, and I’m sure she’s capable of handling things without you. As far as Stafford Publishing is concerned, everything’s probably on schedule. How much trouble can one little valentine party be?”

“For your information, Mr. Garwood, this is not just one little valentine party. Some people consider it one of Atlanta’s biggest social events of the year. Since it’s been a while since you’ve made Atlanta your home, I really don’t expect you to know that. All the proceeds for the ball will go to the United Negro College Fund. With the help of a number of celebrities, we’re ensuring the college future for a number of well-deserving black students who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to go to college.”

“You don’t have to sell UNCF’s merits to me, Kimara. Garwood Industries has been a strong supporter of it for a number of years. I believe in everything it represents.

And even though I’ve never attended one of your Valentine’s Day balls, I’m aware of them. I apologize if you thought I insinuated the affair wasn’t important. I just don’t know why you’re making such a big deal of it this year. From what I understand each year the event proves to be more successful than the year before. Why are you getting so bent out of shape about it this year?”

Kimara released a deep sigh. “This is the first year Poppa Garwood won’t be here to give me guidance and support. Before he died he came up with an idea that I thought was wonderful and jumped on it. Now it seems like I may have bitten off more than I can chew.”

“In what way?”

She placed her napkin next to her plate. “Each year the event is open only to celebrities and anyone willing to purchase a three-hundred-dollar-per-couple ticket. And you’re right, it’s been highly successful because of the number of people who know the importance of UNCF. Eights months ago Poppa Garwood suggested that I make it a more people-reaching-event, and invite fifty of the city’s most promising high school students, those who would more than likely one day need UNCF. This would give them an opportunity to mingle with the celebrities. He felt this would broaden their hope for the future and provide further encouragement.”