Reading Online Novel

FOREVER MINE(22)



“That’s not a bad idea, so what’s the problem?”

Kimara smiled. “Some people really wouldn’t think there is one. I’m the only one who isn’t completely satisfied with the way things are going. The idea was well received in the community. A tuxedo shop has agreed to provide tuxes to the young men free of charge, and several gown shops in the area will dress the young ladies for the night. And a limousine service has volunteered to give free limo rides to the young honorees. The last thing we want is for any of the students to incur expenses for the event. Most of them couldn’t afford to do so anyway.”

Kimara took time to let the waiter place another bottle of chilled wine on their table before continuing. “The problem that I have to deal with is the lack of response we’ve gotten from some of the celebrities. The same ones that usually come each year will be in attendance, but I was hoping that more of those who’d never attended before could put it on their schedule to come. The invitations were mailed out three months ago, and I haven’t gotten a response from a number of them, and the ball is next month.”

She took another sip of wine. “I’ve even sent follow-ups, but haven’t heard anything. Although those who don’t attend usually come through with a pretty nice donation to UNCF, I would like them to be there. I want the ball to be special for the students that are coming. For some, it will be the only opportunity they’ll ever have to meet people they have admired, respected, and loved from a distance.”

Kyle was silent for a minute. No wonder his grandfather thought a lot of her. She was a very caring person. He didn’t know any woman who would take on such a task without an ulterior motive-- like a chance to shine in the spotlight. All Kimara was concerned about was making sure the students she had invited would thoroughly enjoy themselves.

“Do you have a list of the names for the celebrities who have not yet responded?”

Kyle found himself asking.

Kimara lifted a brow. “Yes, why?”

“I’d like a copy. I’m officially volunteering to be a part of your committee.”

Kimara looked stunned. “What? I don’t understand. Why?”

“Because I have every intention for us to marry before this blasted ball, and the way I see it, you won’t agree to do so unless you feel certain a number of the people on that list are either coming or aren’t. Either way, you’d like to know for sure, won’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then that settles it. I don’t know whose names are on your list, but I probably know a number of them, maybe even personally. Most celebrities leave the handling of their mail and invitations to their personal secretaries, who decide what functions they will or will not attend. I bet a lot of people on that list aren’t aware they were invited.”

Kimara smiled brightly. “Thanks for any help you can give. I really appreciate it, and, Kyle?”

“Yes?”

“You aren’t on that list. As usual, your response card was one of the first I received indicating you wouldn’t be attending.”

Kyle gave her a long stare with her comment. “I have personal reasons for not getting caught up with anything having to do with Valentine’s Day,” he replied curtly.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

The conversation between them on the drive back to Kimara’s home was primarily about the Valentine’s Day ball, with her providing him with more details about it. Deep down, a part of him wished he could share her excitement, but he knew that he couldn’t. Valentine’s Day nine years ago was to be the happiest day of his life. Instead it had been the most humiliating. Since then, he’d never thought much of the day. He believed that thanks to the greeting card industry, florists, and candy companies, the day was highly overrated. No one could convince him that the world was filled with that many lovesick people. Most men didn’t give gifts on Valentine’s Day as a token of their undying love, but gave them because it was expected. And like most men, he played the game, leaving the chore of ordering flowers for whatever woman he was involved with at the time to his secretary.

When Kyle stopped the car in front of Kimara’s house, he picked up on her sudden eagerness to depart from his company. There was no doubt in his mind that he would not be invited inside for coffee.

He walked her to the door. She unlocked and slightly opened it before turning back to him again.

“Thanks for dinner, Kyle.”

He nodded. “I’m leaving in the morning for New York. I’ll call you in a few days.”

“That’s fine. Good night.”

He stood in the door way, making no move to leave. Instead, he leaned toward her and lightly touched her mouth with his.

Kyle’s warm taste filled Kimara, and she closed her eyes when he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer against him. As if with a will of their own, her arms found their way around his neck as she eagerly accepted the intimate way his tongue mated with hers. How long had she fantasized about kissing him? When she’d been sixteen that was all she had ever thought about- the day when Kyle would take her into his arms and kiss her, sending her mind and body spinning. And now, ten years later, he was doing just that. His kiss was everything romantic dreams were made of . . . and more.

Kyle slowly lifted his mouth away from hers, breathing deeply as he continued to hold her in his arms. “That kiss proves we’ll be good together.”

His words helped Kimara regain her composure and get a grip on her own ragged breathing. “Good night, Kyle.” She said the words, and then stepped into her house, quietly closing the door.

Kyle went to his car, but instead of starting it up and driving away, he sat in it for a moment. The kiss had been everything he’d known it would be. Kimara’s response to him had been genuine, not fake, and she had felt warm and soft in his arms. She had returned his passion with a fiery one of her own. He hardened at the memory of her leaning into his body as he tried kissing her senseless. There was no doubt in his mind that some of her lipstick now covered his own lips. For proof, He took his handkerchief and wiped his mouth, seeing the red-stained cloth in the dimly lit car.

He let out a deep sigh, feeling a kind of desire he hadn’t experienced in years . . . if ever. And that, he thought worriedly, could present some problems later on. He had to keep his relationship with Kimara in perspective and not let her get under his skin. Their marriage was to be one of purpose, and nothing more.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel as his thoughts shifted to his grandfather. He found himself asking softly, in the quiet stillness of the car, “Granddad, what have you done?”





Five




The wedding took place a week and a half later. Kyle had made all the arrangements and even made the plans for the honeymoon. The only thing he’d told Kimara was to pack plenty of warm clothes. The weather would be cold where they were going.

Kimara had been grateful Nicky had been out of town visiting her fiancé when she had gotten Kyle’s call. She needed some time to think of how she would explain things to her friend.

Kyle had called her four days later, informing her that an old and trusted friend of both of their families, Judge Nelson Williams, had consented to perform the private ceremony in his chambers late Monday evening. The courthouse would be closed that day in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.

When Nicky had returned to town the day after Kyle’s phone call, Kimara explained everything to her. Nicky, to her surprise, had not questioned her sanity and had readily agreed to act as a witness for the ceremony. She ended up doing a whole lot more than that and went out of her way to turn what Kimara had destined to be a dismal event into a joyful affair.

Nicky had taken it upon herself to arrange a small reception at their house after the wedding. She had also talked Kimara into going shopping for a wedding dress, and had seen to it that she had a small bouquet of flowers to hold during the ceremony.

Upon Kimara’s arrival at the courthouse, she was very much aware of Kyle. The cliché of tall, dark and handsome had been created just for him. He looked extremely handsome in his gray suit. He was standing talking to Mason, who was also a witness, and Judge Williams. At the sound of her footsteps, Kyle turned around and gave her an appreciative appraisal as an irresistible smile touched his lips. She was wearing an ivory-colored tea-length fitted lace dress with spaghetti straps, a shirred bodice, and a flounced skirt. Matching ivory-colored pumps of lace and satin adorned her feet, and her hair, decorated with magnolia blossoms and pearls, hung loose about her shoulders. He excused himself from the two men and came to face her, reaching his hand out to her.

Kimara nervously accepted the smile and the hand being offered. After telling her how beautiful she looked, he led her over to the other two men. “Judge Williams, I think we’re about ready.”

The warmth of Judge Williams’s smile echoed in his voice. “I know both your parents would have been happy with this marriage,” he told them.

“Not to mention your grandfather,” Mason interjected as his smile spread with delight.

“Where’s the young lady who’s serving as your witness, Kimara?” Judge Williams asked.