Page 36 of Love Me Carefully
“I have a few things to do before I get going, so I wanted to see you first. Is that alright?” Holding her away from him slightly, he stared into her pretty, cherub-like face.
“Of course that’s alright. It’s just that you look a little worried. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just want to get this trip over with. As soon as I sign the rest of these papers and this loan goes through, I’ll be able to sell the shop and we can get out of here.”
“What do you mean, sell the shop?” Rosie was shocked. She had no idea Donald had been thinking of selling the salon, and where did he think they were going?
“I’m tired of it, Rosie. I want something bigger and better for us. I’ve been talking with some people, and we’re working on something big down in Jamaica. If it goes through, I’m gonna sell the shop and we can move down there for good.”
“I don’t wanna move to Jamaica.” Easing out of his arms, Rosie went into the living room and sat down. Jamaica was so far away from her family. So far away from Terrell. This hadn’t been a part of the original plan. She’d just assumed that they were getting married, and that everything else would remain the same.
Cursing himself for blurting it out like that, Donald followed her into the living room. “Why not?”
“Because my family and friends are here. You never said anything about Jamaica. I mean, I know your daughters live there, but you never said you wanted to live there.” Wringing her hands, Rosie sat on the couch trying to still the rapid beating of her heart.
“Have you ever been to Jamaica?” Donald was afraid that not only would she reject the idea of moving to Jamaica, but of marrying him as well. He had meant to ease her into the idea, but time was running out, and he needed to get things rolling. The deal was about to close, the Feds were getting antsy and he needed to make his move.
He’d made the delivery last night, and now he needed to collect his money and be done with it. Rosie, he found, had become a crucial part of his life. He needed her with him. Taking a deep breath, he decided then that drastic measures would have to be taken.
“No, I’ve never been, but that really doesn’t have anything to do with it. I mean, I would be leaving everything I know and love. My job, my family, my son.”
At the mention of Terrell, Donald’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t forgotten that Terrell had followed him around last night like some renegade spy. Nor had he forgotten what he’d done to ensure that he’d be able to collect his money without any interruption.
“I know, baby. Look, why don’t you come down with me? See the island for yourself, and then we’ll talk about the move some more. I don’t want you to feel pressured into this decision. I want us to enjoy our new life together.” Sitting beside her, he took her hands in his, kissing her palms gently.
Her smile told him she was weakening. “I don’t know,” she began.
“Come on, say you’ll come with me.” Kissing her lips, Donald worked his mouth over hers persuasively.
“Do I have time to pack?” she whispered breathlessly.
“Hurry up, I’ll be back in an hour to get you.”
Planting one last kiss on her supple lips, Donald stood and went to the door. Before Rosie could change her mind, he was gone.
