Jaylin's World

By Brenda Hampton

Real estate magnate Jaylin Jerome Rogers is happily married to his one and only love, Nokea. They've got adorable kids and a lovely home in Miami Beach. The biggest mistake of Jaylin's life, his affair with Scorpio Valentino, is behind him—or so he believes. But beneath the still waters of marital bliss, drama is bubbling up! Jaylin thought Scorpio was just a short-term jump off, but his world is rocked when she reveals that he is her year-old son's father. Suddenly both of their marriages are on the rocks, as Jaylin tries to be a father to his newfound son, and Scorpio moves to Miami intent on reigniting their affair. While Nokea builds a new life for herself, her husband hatches a desperate plan to win her back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Urban Books
• Release date: Feb 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781599832647

Brenda Hampton

Brenda Hampton has written more than twenty novels. Her name has graced the Essence magazine bestsellers list, and she was named a favorite female fiction writer in Upscale magazine. Her mystery novel The Dirty Truth was nominated for an African American Literary Award. Visit her online at BrendaMHampton.com.

Book preview

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SCORPIO

Almost three weeks ago, my husband, Bruce, the kids and I were riding in our SUV and the unthinkable happened. As I sat in the hospital, still in shock, my mind drifted back to the powerful punch I had landed on the side of Bruce’s face.

You son of a bitch! I yelled, with venom in my eyes. I had just looked at his cell phone, where his ex-girlfriend Mercedes had sent him a text message, telling him how spectacular his sex was the night before. I knew she wasn’t lying about the two of them spending time together, because Bruce had crawled into our bed at two in the morning, smelling like sex.

What in the hell are you talking about? he shouted. You always bitching about something, and that’s why this marriage is so fucked up!

No, it’s fucked up because you’re a liar and I’m not going to keep being faithful to a man who cheats and who is unemployed!

I held up his phone to show him the text message from Mercedes. He turned his head, snatching his phone from my hand. In an instant, our lives quickly changed. He swerved to avoid a Ford pickup truck in front of us that was carrying loads of plywood. The tires from the SUV screeched so loudly that I could still hear the sound in my ears. Smoke clouded the air, burned rubber filled my nostrils and our SUV flipped over numerous times. Our bodies were jerked around, and glass shattered everywhere. The mangled metal squashed us all, and my neck was hurting so bad that I could barely turn around to see about my children. All I heard was Mackenzie crying, but Bruce Jr. was silent. Somehow, I managed to crawl out of the broken window, cutting my legs and arms even more. By that time, Bruce had, in his arms, what looked to be our lifeless son’s body. Blood covered his entire body and his eyes were closed. Bruce kept shaking Bruce Jr., but got no response.

Oh, my God! I screamed, with tears pouring down my face. Pluu ... please tell me my baby isn’t dead!

Bruce looked at me with tears, hurt and pain in his eyes. I—I don’t know... .

Mackenzie’s cries snapped me out of my trance, as I couldn’t believe what had happened. I rushed to help remove her from the wreckage. After Bruce carefully laid our son on the wet grass, he came over to help as well. We both pulled Mackenzie from what was left of the SUV; and once she was out, I tightly embraced her. She could barely stand up.

It hurts, Mommie, she cried. I’m hurting all over!

I kissed her forehead to calm her. It’s going to be okay, honey. Help is on the way.

Bruce picked up Mackenzie, moving her away from the smoking SUV. He then used his cell phone to dial 911. I stumbled over to Bruce Jr., who was lying in the grass and looking helpless as ever. He wasn’t breathing. At that moment, all I could do was secure him in my shaking arms and scream out at the top of my lungs, "Nooooooooo!"

Minutes later, I heard sirens; my head was spinning. I watched the paramedics work on both of my children, and I prayed for God to save them. When all was said and done, the paramedics told me that we were lucky and the seat belts had saved us.

Ever since that day, I’d been at the hospital, either in Mackenzie’s room or in Bruce Jr.’s. Mackenzie had already had one surgery to repair her fractured arm and leg. Her body was badly bruised and she was in so much pain. The doctors said she was getting better by the day, but she couldn’t catch a break from the pain. Her pretty face, which resembled mine, was covered with bandages, and her arm and her leg were in casts now. Her midsection was wrapped tight too. When she joked with me about how she looked like a mummy, I knew she’d be okay. I stood, placing soft kisses on her forehead.

I love you, I said. And you don’t look like a mummy. You look like my little princess.

"The Princess and the Frog." She smiled, referring to the black princess from Disney.

Yes, baby. Just like her.

The doctors had given Mackenzie some medication for her pain, and the focus in her eyes was slowly fading. I rubbed her soft hair as the tears continued to fall from my eyes; then I kissed my nine-year-old child, and left to go see about my son.

As I walked down the hallway, my arms were folded in front of me. I felt so alone. Bruce Jr. was alive, but he had lost so much blood that he had to have a blood transfusion. I was skeptical about contaminated blood, particularly because of HIV, going into his body, but the doctor said the blood transfusion was necessary. Sure, with Bruce and me donating our own blood, I would feel safe, but according to the doctor, we really didn’t have to do it. Our conversations with the doctor about blood types led from one thing to another. Bruce had said before that Bruce Jr. didn’t look nothing at all like him; and when the doctor informed us that their blood types didn’t even match, I could have died.

Are you telling me this kid ain’t mine? I knew it! he shouted as the fury in his eyes cut me like a knife.

I was so embarrassed that this conversation was happening in front of the doctor, but what could I say or do, but come clean. I lowered my head, refusing to look at him. No, he’s not yours. He’s someone else’s.

Bruce let out a deep sigh and pounded his fist on the doctor’s desk. I jumped, fearing that his fist would land somewhere on me. You mean to tell me that you let me take care of another man’s child for almost two fucking years, knowing that he wasn’t mine! How low can you go, bitch? I guess I don’t have to ask who his damn father is, do I?

I wanted to defend my actions, but even I knew I’d been wrong for trying to keep this a secret. I looked Bruce straight in his eyes, knowing that our marriage was now over. His father is Jay ... Jaylin Rogers. I’m sorry for lying to you, but let’s discuss this at home. Please do not disrespect me in front—

Disrespect? Really? Woman, you don’t want to talk about disrespect, do you? His face scrunched up, causing him to look like a raging monster.

Before I could answer, the doctor stood up, trying to calm the situation. Bruce didn’t care what the doctor had to say, and there was no need for him to await a response from me. He left, but not before making it clear to me that he wanted a divorce. Yes, I’d known it all along, and from where else could Bruce Jr. have gotten his gray eyes and curly coal black hair? The secret I had planned to take with me to my grave was now revealed.

Bruce left the hospital that day, and ever since then, he had not returned. He was furious with me, but I didn’t have time to entertain another argument with him. To me, it was the door he had been looking for, for months. We had been arguing about every little thing. After he’d lost his job at the bank, he’d gotten lazy and refused to look for another job. Everything was on me. Even though I didn’t mind, I saw that Bruce hadn’t put forth any effort to help me with our kids or with the bills. He had been running the streets and coming in when he felt like it. I hadn’t had sex with him in months, only because I knew he’d been seeing Mercedes again. He denied my accusations, but the text message said it all. There was no doubt in my mind that he was with her now, instead of being at the hospital with me. That, in itself, was hard for me to swallow, but I just couldn’t muster up enough energy to deal with him, when I was dealing with my kids.

I walked into the hospital room, slightly smiling at the wonderful nurse who had truly been there for me and for my children. Her name was Ann, and she stood next to Bruce Jr., checking his vitals. She pulled the sheets over him for comfort.

How’s Mackenzie doing this evening? she whispered, trying not to wake Bruce Jr.

She’s okay. She just went to sleep too. How long has Bruce been asleep?

Not long. Why don’t you go outside and get some fresh air. Or, go get something to eat. I know you haven’t eaten anything today, have you?

I shook my head, replying no. I hadn’t eaten much at all, and I could tell I was down at least five to ten pounds since I’d been here. I used the bathrooms at the hospital to wash up, and my sister, Leslie, had brought me a few pieces of clothing to change into.

I’ll be okay, Ann. I’ll get something to eat later.

Ann told me she’d bring me back a salad, and she left Bruce Jr. and me in peace. I sat next to his bed, looking at the tubes in his nose. His lungs had been punctured and he had IVs poking him in two different places. My poor, poor baby, I kept thinking. I hated to sit there and watch him suffer, but at this point, it was a waiting game. The doctors diagnosed that both of my children would get better, and I was grateful for that.

I scooted back in the chair next to Bruce’s bed. The room was a bit chilly, so I tightened the pink fuzzy sweater I wore. I dabbed my red sore eyes with a tissue and blew my nose that wouldn’t stop running. Trying to relax, I turned on the TV. Instead of watching it, though, I closed my eyes, thinking about how I’d gotten to this point in my life. My mind traveled back to the night Jaylin came to my house several years ago, suggesting that we would be Naughty No More. I told myself that I had to forget about what had happened that night. However, looking at Bruce Jr. every single day of his life, I couldn’t forget. Even while I was pregnant, the thought of Jaylin being the father had crossed my mind numerous times. What he had put on me during his last visit to my condo was like magic. And according to him, a dream that he’d had brought him to my front door that day.

Jaylin, I do love my fiancé, Bruce, I confirmed. But I will never, ever love a man as much as I love you. So, if that’s what you came here to hear, then I have no shame in saying it. Yes, I still love you, but there isn’t a darn thing I can do about it. Who in the hell could blame me, after what you did for Mackenzie and me? You changed my entire life around. At the time we met, my life was headed for destruction. We endured a lot in our relationship, but overall, you were a blessing to me. Therefore, losing you was tough. I—I can’t forget what we shared, and I will never forget. Call me stupid or whatever you want, but my love for you can never be replaced.

Jaylin was speechless and he continued to stare at me. He was so damn sexy, and his heart-piercing gray eyes, along with the Alicia Keys song Like You’ll Never See Me Again playing in the background, had me so caught up. As we held each other closely, I felt him rise down below. He slightly backed up, clearing his throat.

Listen, I gotta jet. I hope everything works out for you and Bruce, and, uh, I appreciate you sharing with me how you feel.He loosened our embrace and made his way to the door. When he reached for the doorknob, I covered his hand with mine, halting his steps.

I’m getting married soon. This might be our last chance,I said. Please stay with me for a while.

He turned to face me, locking his eyes with mine. Our last chance for what?

I got on the tips of my toes and whispered in his ear, Last chance for us to be naughty. I will never interfere with your marriage to Nokea again. I wish you and her nothing but future happiness. I hope you feel the same way about me and Bruce, but please allow us to have this one last time together.

He stood for a moment, seriously debating with himself. I could tell he was so weak when it came to me. I stepped forward and when my lips touched his, he held my face in his hands, sucking my lips in like kissing was going out of style. Call Bruce, he ordered, barely taking a breath between our kisses. Tell him to come much later. I—I gotta tell you about a dream I had, but you gotta promise me that we will be Naughty No More.

Rushing, I reached for his belt buckle before he changed his mind. After tonight,I said. You go your way and I’ll go mine. I promise you there will be no phone calls, no questions and no attachments. Let’s just get this over with and do something that we both have been dying to do.

Jaylin didn’t say another word. He followed me to my bedroom. After I removed my clothes, his eyes scanned down my jaw-droppingly curvaceous naked body. Jaylin seemed hesitant, so I stepped up close to him, removing his clothes for him. As he stood naked, I dropped to my knees, inserting into my mouth the dick of a man I craved for. As the slurping sounds from my juicy wet mouth filled the room, his hands roamed in my long hair. He pumped my mouth, stroking it from every angle that he could. My hands massaged his tight, muscular ass, and not wanting his come to go to waste in my mouth, I backed up to the bed. My legs fell apart, and my index finger went into action. I slid it into my wetness, finger fucking myself as Jaylin observed. He loved to watch me perform on myself, but he could never watch for long. He dropped to the floor in front of me, pushing my legs close to my chest. The view for him was breathtaking. When I felt his tongue slide into me, I gasped, sucking in as much air as I could. My head dropped back, and I squeezed my watery eyes tightly together.

Is it really you? I cried out. Baby, please confirm that it’s really you doing this to me. It’s been so long since I felt like this.

It’s me, he confirmed. When I put this dick inside you, you’ll know for sure that it’s me.

Only Jaylin could suck my pussy this well, and his tongue was fiercely working my furrows from top to bottom. He circled my swollen sensitive clit and I was seconds away from popping an oozing cherry into his mouth.

Hold on, baby, he said, feeling my legs tremble. It has been a long time and I want to enjoy this for a little while longer.

My hands clawed the silk sheets and I took deep breaths, trying to calm the explosion sparking between my legs. It was so hard to do, and as my legs started to shake more, I felt Jaylin’s tongue slither out of me.

Turn on your stomach and get on your hands and knees, he ordered.

I rolled over, hiking my apple-bottom ass in the air while on my knees. My face dropped to a plush pillow as Jaylin’s tongue went back into action. He pulled my butt cheeks apart, exposing my dripping wet slit from behind. Seconds later, he rimmed my anal hole by placing delicate licks on it, making his tongue flutter. I was losing my mind, and his tongue was feeling so good that more tears welled in my eyes. I couldn’t believe how much love I still had for this man. And as his tongue traveled back and forth from each hole, I couldn’t take it any longer. I was defeated and my nails scratched the sheets.

What are you doing to me? I cried out again. Why are you doing this?

Jaylin ignored me. He stood up straight, displaying every bulging muscle on his naked body. I did my best to calm myself. When his dick entered me, I felt as if my world was standing still. My insides expanded, and with every pleasurable thrust, we both let out satisfying moans that echoed loudly in the room.

Mmph, mmph, mmph, he uttered as I kept throwing my pussy back to him. He held on tight to my hips while he swayed his hands against my soft curves. I turned my head to the side, anxious to see the look in his lustful eyes. The words that he spewed confirmed that he was enjoying himself, but I wanted to see how much. Jaylin’s eyes were closed, and he kept wetting his lips with his tongue. His strokes inside me were so on point, and there was no doubt that we had one hell of a connection. I loved doing it doggy style with him, but I also wanted to feel his body on top of mine. I wanted to slide my hands down his chiseled body and grip his ass, while forcing him into me. More than anything, I wanted him to come, so I reached my hands back to grab my cheeks. Every time he went in, I forced my cheeks together. When he pulled out, I opened them up wide. Jaylin, no doubt, was ecstatic. He replaced my hands with his. As he carefully observed his insertions, he had to let loose.

Daaamn, Scorpio, he moaned tense as ever. He squeezed my ass, and that’s when I felt a flood of his juices coat my walls. I inched forward, and his goods slipped from my insides. We were never known for wrapping it up after just one explosion. So when I lay on my back, Jaylin crawled between my legs. He held himself up over me, and I wrapped one of my legs around his waist. Like I had enuisioned, I rubbed his body; then I slid my hands down to grip his butt. For a moment, we stared into each other’s eyes.

You never answered my question, I whispered. Why are you doing this to me?

He pecked my nose, continuing to stare at me again before saying anything.

Just say it, Jaylin. Why are you here, and what made you want to do this with me?

I had a dream. I’ll tell you about it later, but I’m here because I think I’m still in love with you.

Something went through me, and my body tingled all over. After all this time, I couldn’t believe he had said those words to me. His words encouraged me to find out more, but he placed his finger on my lips to shush me.

Not right now, he said. We’ll talk after we’re finished.

Jaylin lowered his head to my breasts. As his tongue turned circles on my nipples, he inserted himself again. The skillful rhythms of his strokes were tearing up my insides—in a good way, of course. After intense fucking for at least an hour, we both cut loose together. Sweat ran from our bodies. We were breathless, taking in more juicy kisses and sharing just how much we had missed each other.

Would you please tell me what’s going on? I said embracing him while I straddled his lap. Are you and Nokea over?

Jaylin comfortably held his head against my chest. His arms were around me and I softly rubbed through his sweaty curly hair. He began to tell me about a dream he’d had. Still, when all was said and done, according to him, he was still happily married to Nokea. Damn was all I could say, but after a performance like that, I could tell he wasn’t happily married at all.

I—I just had to do this, Scorpio. I needed this, and I missed you so damn much. He looked up at me and rubbed back my hair with his gentle hands. That dream fucked me up, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Understand, though, that no matter what I’m feeling right now, I can’t ... I just can’t leave my wife. I love her a lot and that’s not going to change.

It was no surprise to me how Jaylin felt about Nokea, but there was no guilt in me whatsoever. I just had to deal with his marriage, and since I was getting married in a few weeks, what the hell? We agreed to go our separate ways, but it felt good as hell for us to go out like we did. I promised him that I wouldn’t hold on to something that would never be. I even cried in his arms that night, sharing with him how much it pained me to let him go—again.

Jaylin understood my frustrations, and on his drive to the hotel, he called to put me at ease. He again told me he loved me, and expressed his regrets that we could never seem to get our relationship to work out. We both agreed that things happened for a reason.

When I ended my call with Jaylin that night, he wished me well. Other than a letter his lawyer had sent, relinquishing Jaylin’s parental rights to Mackenzie, this phone conversation was the last I’d heard from him. The letter was something that I requested. Even though I had the letter in my possession, I never, ever did anything with it. Something inside me didn’t trust Bruce to do right by me, and I was right.

Now I had to focus on getting my kids better, and the thought of losing them made me think about Jaylin even more. Did he even deserve to know about his son? What about Mackenzie? He would kill me if something happened to her, and I didn’t call to tell him. Besides, I didn’t want to go through all of this alone. I needed Jaylin so bad, but I wasn’t sure about telling him about his son. That would bring about so much trouble for me, and for his marriage. I was torn with my decision, but deep down, I knew that Jaylin had to know the truth.

NOKEA

I almost hated to say it, but life with Jaylin was so perfect. My husband was truly the best, and waking up with him every single morning made me the happiest woman in the world. He had a better attitude about life in general, and things really took a turn for the better when Shane moved to Miami Beach, Florida, with us. He and Jaylin had been doing well with their business ventures. Now, with two ambitious men working together, the sky was the limit. They’d made so much money in the housing/property market. Even though housing was in the negative, rich folks still had money to buy property. Just last week, Jaylin and Shane had closed a deal they’d been working on for months. It was an investment of $2.5 million that had turned into a payout of $9 million. I didn’t know which one of them was the happiest, but a celebration was well in order.

Nanny B put together a dinner party for us that night, and we celebrated with our neighbors, and with Shane’s girlfriend, Tiffanie. He’d met Tiffanie during a visit with us a while back. At the time, he was dating Scorpio and didn’t want to complicate his relationship with her. Tiffanie was patient, though. When I told her that Shane was moving to Florida, she wasted no time getting to know him. They went on a few dates, and it wasn’t long before he started spending a lot of time at her house. Her family owned several exquisite restaurants, Leylah’s Kitchen, named after her mother, and Tiffanie had a lot to bring to the table. Even so, Shane seemed to hold back a little. He talked to other women on occasion, and he had gone out on a few dates with other women. I hadn’t said anything to Tiffanie about this.

Tiffanie wanted him to move in with her, but for now, he continued to stay with Jaylin and me. Of course, Jaylin didn’t mind, and I think they wouldn’t have had it any other way. Most of their business was handled at home, but a few months ago, they rented an office space, which was less than five miles away. Jaylin made it clear that he didn’t want to do any heavy work, but to be honest, he and Shane were starting to spend a lot of time away from home. That was okay with me—as long as Jaylin was happy, I was happy.

I guess the only thing in the world that troubled me was the fact that I still hadn’t conceived another child. I mean, the doctors said my chances were slim, but I had hoped that they were wrong. Jaylin and I often made love, but both of us were over the age of thirty-six; we weren’t getting any younger. Jaylin hadn’t said anything about another baby, but I knew he hadn’t said anything because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings. For the time being, LJ and Jaylene were truly enough. We loved them with every fiber of our beings, and they made our lives feel so complete. I wouldn’t trade my life for anything in the world, and I was so blessed to have a family that loved me so much.

On Saturday, Jaylin, Shane, Tiffanie and I were on the beach playing volleyball. The weather was perfect. At ninety degrees, no one was complaining. I wore a nude-colored bikini that meshed well with my caramel-colored skin. Jaylin and Shane were in swimming trunks, and Tiffanie had on a white bikini. She and Shane were winning the game, simply because Jaylin couldn’t seem to concentrate. He was too busy standing behind me, complimenting my backside and watching me do all of the work. Shane served the ball over the net, and when Jaylin hit it back over, he ran up from behind and grabbed my waist. Tiffanie