Between Love and Lust

By Chase Sidora

Handsome, smart, and successful, Jarell Thornton has nearly all of his hearts desires. A fulfilling career, great friends, and a loving wife. However, after crossing paths with a beautiful temptress, his almost perfect world is turned upside down leaving everything he has worked so hard to build at stake. In the battle Between Love and Lust, will Jarell be able to come out unscathed or will his transgressions end up creating a trail of destruction and pain in the paths of the ones he loves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449047399

Chase Sidora

Chase Sidora has been writing since the tender age of eleven, making becoming a published author inevitable. Honing these skills for over a decade, Between Love and Lust is the author’s debut novel. Chase Sidora novels are built on the premise of 'Can Love Truly Concur All?' and the many foundations in which love and relationships are built. An avid sports fan, Chase enjoys watching NBA basketball, writing, movies, and working out. Chase currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Acknowledgements

I would be remissed if I didn’t give a special thank you to: Mommy, for the creativity, I hope you’re looking down from Heaven and that you are proud of me. Mary, for believing; you are the BEST Grandmother anyone could have and I am so thankful God gave you to me. Daddy (my fat man—smile), for loving me unconditionally, I love you too. Teresa, Terri, and TJ for inspiring me; you three are the best siblings one could hope for. I take great pride and joy in each of you and I hope I’ve been a good example. My Something Epic Titans. The beautiful ladies of LuvSicc (www.luvsicc.com). My wonderful editor Brenda Lloyd, RaShunda Williams, and my author mentor (I guess I can officially say colleague now), Shonda. I know that I have driven you all crazy through this whole process with my rants, test reads, questions, and etc, yet you all kept me rather sane. Any and everyone else who helped feed my passion and have supported it, thank you as well.

The heart has become a battlefield between love and lust. The more lust dominates the heart, the less the heart experiences the nuptial meaning of the body.

- Pope John Paul II

Contents

‘Til Death Do We Part

Jarell

Audrianna

Jarell

Brooklyn

Jarell

Sin’s Sister

Jarell

Brooklyn

Jarell

Brooklyn

Jarell

Little White Lies

Jarell

Brooklyn

Jarell

The Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back

Jarell

Audrianna

Jarell

Brooklyn

There’s No Place Like Home

Audrianna

Jarell

Changes

Brooklyn

Jarell

Audrianna

Jarell

Brooklyn

Jarell

Brooklyn

Love, Marriage, Baby Carriage

Brooklyn

Jarell

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Audrianna

Jarell

What’s Done In The Dark

Jarell

Audrianna

To Have Loved And Lost

Jarell

TO THE READERS

 ‘Til Death Do We Part

Jarell

Moans filled the air and the sweet aroma of passion danced along with the sounds.

Babe, the woman whispered as a kiss was placed on her collarbone, the words barely escaping her lips. Babe, we have to go back.

Jarell’s large hands caressed and squeezed her breasts as he moved his trail of kisses towards the southern regions of her body. After a strenuous rehearsal, the couples’ immediate family and friends gathered in the luxurious Evana Towers Downtown to enjoy each other’s company for dinner. On the way to the hotel’s Great Banquet Hall, Jarell managed to grab his fiancée’s arm and slip away from the madness of last minute wedding preparations and into his first floor suite.

Once he had her alone, it was only a matter of moments before their clothes were shed.

Rell baby, she started again, her chest heaving erratically as he eased past her belly button and began to kiss her inner thigh. He felt her body quiver above him. Th—the guests?

They can’t start without us, Jarell whispered into her mound of flesh as if he were speaking into a microphone. He could smell the juices that still lingered between her legs as he had just removed himself from between them, now, he had to taste them. I want to have you as my appetizer one more time before we get married.

Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her knees began to wobble. He was always able to make her weak. No longer able to resist the pleasure that was swelling inside of her, she allowed herself to collapse on top of Jarell’s face.

You want me to stop? He licked her clit.

She was paralyzed and though she was saying yes a thousand times over in her head, the words would not part her lips. No answer, only moans.

Jarell smiled broadly before sucking and licking her, lapping his tongue inside her creamy slit until her body began to vibrate uncontrollably. Satisfied with his accomplishment, he drank the thickness of her sticky pond until it was all dried out.

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Sweat dotted the brim of his eyebrows and the nervousness this day brought nearly paralyzed him.

A slight breeze shook the trees surrounding Capital Park while the crowd sat along the manmade lake that traced the grounds while family and friends gathered as the sun beamed its intense summer rays down upon them. Talking amongst themselves, the throng of people used their pear shaped paper fans to ward off Florida’s unforgiving summer heat as they waited in anticipation of the ceremony’s beginning.

Although there was a forty-five percent chance of rain predicted by the local weather man, the day turned out to be the best that one could ask for of a June wedding. The sky was clear and bright blue, with a few white clouds peppered in. Even with the sweltering heat making it feel as if guests were sitting inside of a toaster oven, the smile of the sun was welcomed.

As the music began softly, the chatter of the attendees abruptly ceased. The sultry and soulful voice of Etta James crooning her timeless ‘At Last’ echoed through the park’s speakers. From the youngest person to the oldest, each was a bit more excited than the last. Swirling around in their white patio chairs, all eyes stared eagerly towards the grassy slope.

On the left of the Pastor; the tall, handsome, groom nervously stood alongside the four other men who were dressed in matching suits. He was dressed smoothly in a pair of white linen slacks, a cotton collared shirt, and matching three-button blazer. Their outfits were accented with soft powder blue neck ties and powder blue handkerchiefs that had been delicately folded in a neat triangular shape as it rested in the jacket’s lapel.

Tears began to well up inside the corners of his almond-shaped brown eyes, and butterflies found their way inside his stomach. Twenty-five year old Jarell Thornton’s left leg started to shake uncontrollably.

He had been waiting for this day for so long. Everything he and his long time girlfriend had ever laughed, fought, and cried about brought them to Capital Park this afternoon. Everything that they had been through together, led up to this fourteenth day of June. Today was the day that he would finally leave bachelorhood behind and become a married man.

With a simultaneous gasp, every person in attendance, and within viewing distance of the ceremony, rose to their feet. They were absolutely astonished as they stared in awe at the bride. At the top of the park’s grassy hill, there she stood, arm-in-arm with a tall, older man with salt and pepper colored hair. The man’s honey colored eyes were covered in square framed glasses, and his suit was identical to the other males in the wedding party.

Tugging on the bottom of his blazer and trying to wipe away invisible wrinkles from the smooth fabric, Jarell wanted to make sure he was perfectly intact when he felt a slight nudge in the mid portion of his back.

She’s coming, one of his best men and best friends, DeMario Houston interrupted, leaning into him slightly.

Jarell’s head shot up, his eyes shooting straight up at the hill. Just as DeMario promised, there she was.

No longer able to stop the water from escaping his eyes, they trailed down his face and splashed upon his white square toed shoes. Jarell watched the woman of his dreams walk down the aisle in a long, strapless, metallic beaded and embroidered gown with a satin pick-up skirt. The handcrafted details on the ivory dress’ bustier sparkled in the summer sunlight, and the pearls around her neck accented her shoulders and collarbone.

With her arm interlocked with that of her father, Nathanial Forrester Sr., Jarell could see Audrianna’s lips part in a warm smile.

His heart thumped and his breathing became heavy. She always made his stomach tie itself in knots and his pulse pound. Though they had been together for eight years, she still made him feel the same butterflies he felt the first time he approached her in high school. Their relationship still had that special zsa zsa zsu.

Wow, he whispered to himself while he took in the vision that was his bride. He tried desperately not to allow another tear to slip from his eyes.

With her hair tightly pulled away from her round face, a neat, braided Grecian bun rest midway in the back of Audrianna’s head. Elegance gleamed through the minimal make-up she wore and Jarell’s heart ran a marathon within his chest. To him, she was a vision of perfection in its purest form. She had always been beautiful, but on this day, their wedding day, it was as if she were an angel. An angel who had turned her back on Heaven to meet him at the altar.

Stepping away from his friends, Jarell slowly walked towards Audrianna and her father whom now was a mere few feet away from the Pastor.

Who gives this woman to this man? he questioned.

Standing in front of them, Jarell looked Nathaniel directly in the eyes.

Giving a nod of approval, Mr. Forrester answered with the utmost certainty. I do.

With a grin ranging from ear-to-ear, he released his arm from Audrianna’s and placed his large hands on each of his daughter’s bronzed cheeks. Bending down to his child’s five-foot-two-inch height, he placed a gentle kiss on her veiled forehead, I love you.

I love you too, Daddy.

Swelling with pride, Nathaniel grinned adoringly and gave his eldest daughter one more look over before turning to Jarell, shaking his hand firmly.

I’m trusting you with my baby girl, he warned, stern seriousness wrinkled his forehead. Don’t make me regret it.

I won’t sir, I promise.

Watching his soon to be father-in-law take his front row seat next to Audrianna’s mother, Lynn, Jarell took the place Mr. Forrester had forfeited. Adoration overwhelmed him as he reached down and grabbed his bride’s tiny hand, interlocking her fingers inside of his own.

You look beautiful, he whispered while they walked.

Thank you, Audrianna smiled, looking up at him briefly. You clean up nicely yourself.

Coming to a stop in front of the Pastor, the two turned towards each other with their respective parties standing behind them.

We are gathered here today, to unite this couple in holy matrimony. Do you, Jarell Anthony Thornton, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, through sickness and health, until death do you part?

Taking a deep breath, Jarell grinned and quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his pecan colored hand. Being a tough, strong man, he normally would never cry this much, hell, he can’t remember the last time he cried. But today was different. Today was the first day of his forever with the woman of his heart. Inhaling once more, he spoke.

I do.

Returning the smirk, Audrianna reached her tiny, French manicured hand up to Jarell’s face, gently wiping a tear from his eye with her thumb. Don’t you cry, you’re going to make me cry, she laughed lightly with a sniffle.

Turning towards her, the Pastor continued. Do you, Audrianna Nicole Tran-Forrester, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, through sickness and health, until death do you part?

I do, she answered thoughtlessly.

The audience let out a loud sigh of adulation. By now tears ran down the faces of most of the women in attendance. The men, trying to maintain their sense of manhood and trying not to get locked into a marital commitment themselves, avoided eye contact.

It gives me great pleasure to announce, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jarell Anthony Thornton, the preacher began, clenching the Holy Bible to his chest. Having known Jarell since he was a small child back in Oakland, California, his face held a gigantic grin. Rising to their feet, the audience gave a thunderous applause at the marriage’s announcement. You may kiss your bride.

Finally, Jarell released a deep breath. Come here girl.

And with that, he placed his arms around his bride’s thin waist, pulling her inside of him. She stood onto her tip-toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning into each other, the two allowed their lips to meet for their first official married kiss.

Audrianna

The ceremony was beautiful, one of Audrianna’s classmates complimented, walking over to the table where the bridal party sat as the other guest enjoyed the reception. And Audrey you looked like a princess; simply gorgeous."

Thank you so much, and thank you for coming, she smiled, looking up at the young woman.

Placing his arm around her bare, slender shoulders, Jarell pulled his new bride a little closer to him. Taking in her scent, the floral and citrus aroma tickled his nose. Nibbling on her earlobe, he whispered. When we get out of here Mrs. Thornton; I am going to tear you up.

Giggling innocently, Audrianna popped her husband’s hand. You are so bad, she pointed her finger at him while they shared a laugh.

Hearing the abrupt clinking of sterling silverware tapping on a champagne flute echo throughout the reception hall, the room grew silent. Everyone ceased their chatter and turned their attention towards the sound.

On Jarell’s left stood three of his five groomsmen, DeMario Houston, Noel Richardson, and Eric Hailey. Each of whom had served as his best men. As they prepared themselves to speak, everyone focused on them.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I’m Eric and I’m one of the best men, the darkest skinned one of the trio began to speak. He stood there, his bald head shinning and his goatee neatly lined, scratching his bushy left eyebrow. I know you’re probably wondering why in the world Jarell would possibly need three best men. Well, it was the bride’s idea. She thought it would take three of us to get him to the ceremony on time, he joked causing chuckles throughout the crowd.

It only took one of us to make sure he got to the bar on time, Noel mumbled, sipping some of his bubbly.

Eric continued. It’s been interesting to see Jarell and Audrey’s relationship flourish throughout the three years that I’ve known them. They get along so well and I’ve often asked Jarell— he looked towards the groom— man, how do you two keep it together? And he has always attributed their happiness to the two rule system that they’ve adopted.

The shortest of the three, a bright skinned DeMario, immediately picked up after him. "Rule number one, Audrey is always right. And rule number two, if Audrey is somehow wrong; refer to rule number one."

Each guest, along with the bride and groom, exploded into thunderous, simultaneous laughter.

Knowing that it would be Noel’s moment to speak next, Audrianna held her breath, hoping that he did not say anything to ruin her day. Of all of Jarell’s friends, Noel was the crudest of them all. He had no filter between his brain and mouth, which allowed anything that popped into his empty head to come spilling from his lips.

Yes, Noel agreed, his green eyes squinting as he scanned over the listeners. And let’s not forget that they do everything on a fifty-fifty basis –he too turned towards the smiling couple, giving them a slight nod— she tells him what to do, and he does it.

More laughs followed.

Like a bitch, Noel murmured once more. Taking another sip of his champagne, he shook his head in disappointment.

Trying to maintain warm smiles, Eric and DeMario darted their eyes over at Noel, hinting that they had heard his latter remark.

What we tryin’ to say is, mayne, we love you like the band of brothers that we are and we are so proud of you for marr’ing this beautiful li’l lady.

Exactly, Eric agreed. May God bless the two of you to have a long, happy, prosperous marriage. Cheers to the bride and groom.

Picking their glasses up