Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility) (19 page)

“
Oh, shit. Rayna, I'm so sorry,” Azmir whispered softly and slowly, which was a far cry from his earlier outbursts. He engulfed me as his long arms folded around me. He kissed my head.

“
Why didn't you call me? I would've come.”

“
I-I don't know,” I answered at a loss for words.

“
Who was there to comfort you?” he asked with pain in his words, still gripping me in his arms.

“
No one.”

He withdrew his embrace
, but kept his hands on my shoulders as he peered down into my weary eyes. “How did you get to the doctor...the hospital?” he interrogated.

“
I drove myself,” I murmured suddenly feeling vulnerable as the images of my ride to the hospital flashed before my eyes. I hadn’t recalled that experience until this moment, causing all feelings of lowliness and incredulity to come crashing upon me.

He closed his eyes to find relief from the thoughts in his head and rested his forehead against mine. His arms around my naked body once again providing much needed warmth. We stood there for what seemed like an eternity.

“Rayna, I'm here. No more secrets. No more guards. All truths. Cards up. All trust...from here on out,” he proposed as he looked deep into my eyes. He was in search of my soul. His body was positioned so that his head was leveled down matching my height. His hands were gripped onto my shoulders.

My eyes were heavy
, trying to make sense of what Azmir was asking of me. I don't think I'm capable of being much to anyone. I'm not even sure that I want anyone to trust me completely. But once again, I didn't want to disappoint the only person that was willing to take a chance on me. I'd lost my best friend...my sister.

“
Deal?” Azmir implored again, only this time with more power behind his question. My throat constricted.

I
nodded in agreement and succeeded in holding back the gallons of tears that were waiting to fall. I didn't know what was being asked of me but for the first time in my life I was willing to do what I had to do to meet a man's needs.

Could I be all he needed? Was I enough with all of my defi
ciencies?

~~~~~~~~~~

Azmir

I took in every word Rayna spoke to try to understand her. I figured she must be a sane case of bipolar because she definitely had her highs and lows. But once again, I saw the little insecure girl through her eyes. We spent the night there in the suite. The next morning I rose early to make arrangements for us to have a mini getaway in Atlantic City.

Rayna had a rental car that needed to be returned ne
ar the airport. I had my people ride with me to turn it in while she stayed back at the hotel. When I returned, I encountered a frail woman in the lobby. I only took notice of her because of her constant twitching. I slowed down to get a better look at her. She looked lost there in the atrium of the hotel. She eventually turned toward my direction. She had a look of confusion in her eyes.

“Pardon me. Are you looking for someone?”

“Umm…Umm…my daughter here somewhere but I can’t find nobody that work here to help me get at her,” she protested as she kept trying to adjust her jacket.

“Is your daughter, Rayna?”

I knew this was her mother. I saw so many similarities in her features. She had Rayna’s beautiful chestnut eyes and full lips. You could tell that at some point she had the same caramel complexion before her dope habit. She gave me a look of distrust.

“Who you?”' Samantha demanded with a bollixed expression.

I offered, “I’m a friend of hers.” But her facial muscles didn’t relax.

I reassured, “Rayna Brimm?”

After a long pause and deep gaze into my eyes she asked, “You her old man?”

I had to think about my answer. “I can take you to her so that you can talk to her
,” I offered as a friendly gesture to gain her trust.

Her eyes widened. “Umm…umm…see, she said she gonna help me get this shit off my back. And I swear to god that I was gonna do it!
” Samantha exclaimed, so embattled. “But I ain’t even gonna waste her time. I don’t want her to get mad at me. I ain’t seen her in so long. I ain’t wanna play her.” She was getting ready to tear up. I can tell she was earnest in not wanting to blow her opportunity.

“Just tell her I came through to say sorry and if she could come see me next time she come home. I’ll be ready then
,” she continued with big and hopeful eyes.

I couldn’t let her just disappear like that…not considering my situation with my own mother, and the fact that Rayna needed family, she needed support. I chatted with her for a few. She was very forthcoming
, but adamant about not bothering Rayna. I gave her a few dollars and my card so that she could contact Rayna when she was ready and got her a cab back home. I didn’t know what to make of our encounter so I decided not to tell Rayna about it.

When I got back up to the room
Rayna was just getting out of the shower. I had coffee for her and asked was she hungry.

“Nah
,” she sang. “I’m just drained. I feel weak and…just blue. I don’t think I’m ready to return to my reality either. I know people do it every day so I need to just man up and face the music,” she brooded pensively.

“What exactly are you feeling?”
Rayna gave me this look that said she was confused or I was dumb as hell for asking.

I chuckled before explaining. “No
,” I declared while shaking my head. “We're going to start something new. It’s called communication. To the best of your articulation, tell me what you’re feeling,” I requested, sounding like a damn therapist.

She looked to the wall directly in front of her to collect her thoughts. Then she belted, “I’m physically tired…confused…mentally exhausted. My neck is in knots from the stress. My joints are tight
, too. I’m uneasy about what you must be thinking, although you’re still here. I’m wondering for how long before…” she paused. 

Her eyes zoomed into the floor. I hated seeing this confident and fiery woman so insecure and vulnerable. This must be what Michelle knew of Rayna.

“Don't think too hard. We’re here...together...this moment.” I grabbed her hands and put them to my face, trying to capture her eyes. They eventually met mine.
Ahhh...there she is
. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m not in the know of what’s down the line for us either,” I pleaded in her eyes as I kissed her soft hands.

“
Come on. Let's take a long ride,” I said as I rose from the chair.

“
Where are we going? My flight leaves at one.”

“Oh, then you’
ll be missing your flight, Ms. Brimm.” My eyebrows met my forehead.

She shook her he
ad in contest of my itinerary. “Azmir, I have to get back to work. I've missed so many days over the past three weeks. I may not have a job.”

I was confused.
“Are you telling me that you flew out here for just twenty-four hours? Rayna, that five hour flight is exhausting alone. If you think you’re bleary now, just wait ‘til you encounter your first patient tomorrow. You’ll be fatigued. You need reprieve.”

Her eyes left mine as if she were processing what I
’d said. She exhaled before her rebuttal, “Azmir, I have to return. Now that Michelle isn’t here, neither is my job security.”

“
Do you fear you’ll lose your job? Do they have legitimate reasons to terminate you?” I was in search of answers.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rayna

I didn't know where he was going with all of this.
“Again, Azmir, my life has changed so much with losing her. She meant so much. She’s the reason those bastards didn’t clip me for walking in on a blow job,” I sighed, winded from the memory of that dilemma.

Not withdrawing his gaze from me
, he pulls his phone from his waist, pushes a few buttons and holds the phone to his ear. A few seconds later, “Ed, Azmir Jacobs here. Yeah...I have a prospective client who’s in need of your aggressive services. She’s an employee of Smith, Katz & Adams Physical Therapy there in SoCal. Yup. She will need preemptive counsel to ensure they understand that any unlawful or faulty termination will not be tolerated from her crafty superiors. Yeah. Uh-huhn. Her retainer will be at your disposal expeditiously. Indeed.” He ended the call with his coochie creaming smile.

He returned the phone back in its holster,
“Done. Now, contact Sharon and inform her that you will return on Wednesday. We need to go, a car is waiting downstairs.”

“
Azmir, I don’t  have enough clothes, or toiletries...” I pleaded.

“
Rayna, last I checked A.C. has shops and boutiques where you can get whatever you need for an enjoyable stay,” he spoke in a manner that told me his decision was final.

Wearily, I relented.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was eight in the morning on a Wednesday and I was sitting at my desk sorting through the mountain of mail that had been collecting. While still dealing with the odd sensation in the pit of my stomach that I've had since losing Michelle, I feel rested and refueled. I smiled as I acknowledged how Azmir had had a hand in it.

Atlantic City was nice. We stayed in a beautiful and most spacious suite at the Borgata. The suite was exclusive with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. We ate very well and
were able to catch a few shows on short notice. We also shopped out there. There were countless designer boutiques that Azmir insisted we indulge in. The shopping was primarily for me as I learned that Mr. Jacobs has a personal stylist who does all of his shopping. To say that I was thrown was an understatement. How much did this man earn that he didn't buy his own groceries or clothes that he donned oh so well?

And about his appealing nature: days and nights alone with Azmir were equally torturing because of my orders to abstain from sex until the end of my next cycle. I still had some time to go. Azmir never attempted anything with me, it was my feverish ass that seduced him. We were able to resolve several 69 episodes to provide much needed release. That man loves my private areas
;
he tends to them so well
. He worked on them as if he were starved. And I enjoyed every bit of it. He’s an extremely passionate lover.

To
day would be long, they’d be this way for weeks to come. I had so much catching up to do with patients, records, and housekeeping details. But I was prepared for it. I could use all the distractions available to help me cope.

I was tending to Mr. Saunders' injured rotator cuff when my phone alerted me of a text. It was Azmir.

How's your day treating you?

Busy. I didn't realize the time. I haven't lifted my head since I clocked in. How are you?

Merging and acquiring. What time do you think you'll be done
?
 

I finished up with Mr. Saunders' prescription before returning to his text.

Perhaps 8:30PM. Errrrrrrrrrrr..
.
I replied frustrated by the prospect.

Hit me up when you're walking out. I have someone I'd like you to meet.

Hmmmmm...

Mr. Jacobs, I regret to inform you that I'll be in no mood to exchange pleasantries with a stranger. Can we arrange another time
?
I hit send as I walk into my next appointment.

I greeted Mrs. H
enson and sat at the workstation to view her chart when my phone goes off again.

No. I don't think my pal wants to wait. We'll meet you at your place. Peace.

My place! Why is he bringing a "pal" to my house? What the hell?

“Ms. Brimm?”
Mrs. Henson called out.

“Ummmmm...yes?”
I snapped back into our conversation.

“
Your figure. You seem to have lost weight. What are you trying new?” Mrs. Henson beamed with wonder in her eyes.

Azmir had commented on my weight as well. My clothes were less fitted as of late.
He didn't like it, neither did I. But I didn't think Mrs. Henson was being malicious with her inquiry, just curious.

“
I've been so busy lately that I haven't been completing the six basic food groups as I should, you know?” I offered as an answer.

She gave a warm smile,
“Well, you're still a lovely looking woman, Ms. Brimm. Take care of your youth. It will dissipate before you know it,” she admonished. I gave her a full smile and nodded in agreement.

It was
eight fifty-five p.m. when I was turning off my office lights. My stomach had been grumbling, which oddly reminded me to text Azmir while en route home.

As I unloaded the tacos out of the bag
, I heard the doorbell. I knew it was Azmir and opened the door. He stood there in all of his 6 feet and 4 inch magnificence towering me. He wore black denims, a black T-shirt, Gucci belt, and black high top Lavins. And there was that coochie creaming smile.