Riding the Storm - Brenda Jackson [62]
It was only then that he released her gaze and glanced at his sister and sisters-in-law. “Good evening, ladies, and, as usual, all of you look beautiful and bestow much pride upon the Westmoreland name.”
He glanced back at Jayla. “And you look beautiful, as well, Jayla.”
“Thanks.” And before she lost her nerve, she asked, “Is there a chance I might speak with you privately for a moment?” The man standing before her looked so irresistibly handsome, so utterly gorgeous that it almost took her breath away.
Her pulse quickened when he stared into her eyes with an intensity that made her shiver. He nodded, then said, “Sure.” He shifted his gaze from her to the others and said, “Please excuse us for a minute.” After taking her hand in his, Storm led her through the doors and outside into the lobby.
“There’re a lot of people here tonight,” Storm said, as they continued walking down the elegant and immaculate hallway.
“Yes, there are,” Jayla replied. The benefit was being held in the ballroom of the Atlanta Civic Center and the facility was the perfect place to host such an event. She wondered where Storm was taking her. It was obvious that wherever it was, he wanted them to have privacy.
They stopped walking when they came to a beautiful atrium. All the greenery, flowering plants and the huge waterfall added warmth and even more grace and style to their surroundings. Jayla suddenly felt nervous, not sure of herself, but then she knew she had to say her piece. No matter what, he deserved to know about their baby, but she couldn’t tell him that now. If he wanted her back, it had to be because he still loved her and not because he would feel obligated because she was carrying his child.
She cleared her throat. “Storm.”
“Jayla.”
She smiled when they had spoken at the same time. She glanced at him and his features were expressionless and she had no idea what he was thinking.
“Ladies first,” he said, meeting her gaze.
Jayla swallowed. She knew that a lot was at stake here, but she remembered the words her father would often say—nothing ventured, nothing gained. She cleared her throat. “I kept my appointment at the clinic this morning.”
He contemplated her silently for a moment, and then asked, “Did you?”
She expelled a soft breath, still unable to read him. “Yes, but I’ve decided not to go through with the procedure.” She thought she saw relief flash through his gaze but wasn’t sure.
He held her gaze steadily, studied her for a moment. “Why did you change your mind?” he asked.
Jayla swallowed again as she lifted her chin. “Because I realized that you were right and that I did have blinders on. So I took them off and when I did, I could see things a lot clearer.”
Tension hummed between them; she felt it. “And what do you see, Jayla?” he asked softly.
She breathed deeply and decided to tell him just what she saw. “I see a tall man who is so strikingly handsome I can barely think straight, who has eyes so dark they remind me of chocolate chips and a voice so sexy it sends shivers down my spine. But most importantly, since taking my blinders off, I can see my Mr. Right standing right in front of me. Now. At this very minute. And I pray that I haven’t ruined things, and there’s a possibility that he still wants me, because, since taking off my blinders, I’ve also discovered just how much I love him and just how much I want him in my life.”
Jayla held her breath, not knowing what he would say, not knowing if he would accept her words. Then, she saw a slow smile come into his face and spread from corner to corner on his lips. And those lips leaned down and came mere inches from hers and whispered. “I’m glad you quickly came to that conclusion, Jayla Cole, because I love you and there was no way in hell I intended to let you go.”
Before she could say anything, he captured her mouth in a kiss. It was a kiss that was so powerful and tender that it immediately brought tears to her eyes. Storm loved her and she loved him and she believed in her heart that everything would be okay. Together,