The Heart of Things

By J. L. Campbell

After a year-long, Jamaica-Miami romance, Douglas Blythe succeeds in putting a ring on Khalila Skyers's finger.
Though gun-shy, Khalila is willing to marry Douglas, under one condition. She wants a baby.
Doug can't go back on his promise to give her anything she wants, but sees trouble on the horizon with two teenage girls, a hectic business schedule, a devious ex-wife, plus a household turned upside down by a baby he doesn't want.
Their commitment to each other is unquestionable, but will this couple's differences bind them together...or force them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Writer's Suite
• Release date: Jan 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9789768307484

Book preview

in medias res

Latin term for in the middle of things. Starting a story in the middle at a crucial point, rather than at the beginning, and filling in background information as the action progresses.

one

I didn’t feel like smiling, but the sight of Khalila changed my vibe from weary to invigorated. A tall woman with curves for many days and a headful of wild hair, she attracted attention wherever she went but didn’t seem to notice when men swiveled their heads to get a second look. She punched the trunk of the black Odyssey open and met me behind the car. After dropping my suitcase in the trunk, I pulled her to my chest and inhaled deeply. Her creamy cocoa skin smelled of almond and vanilla, plus the perfume I’d given her at Christmas.

Hello, I said in her ear. You’re as hot as this Jamaican climate.

Hey, you’re just as fine yourself, she said in response, and I heard the smile in her voice.

The sleeveless dress she wore hugged her shape and made me want to grab a handful of her butt right there at the front of the airport, even with crowds of people watching. I pulled away reluctantly and got in the car before I did what my mind suggested. Khalila would wonder if I had a screw loose if I filled my hands with her fleshy yet firm behind. She’d also be embarrassed. 

She’d come back to Jamaica after the New Year and here I was, flying in to see her more than a month later. We’d been jetting back and forth between Jamaica and Miami for a year now, but I did most of the traveling. My career as an investment manager meant I visited the island to meet with investors from time to time. 

My separation from Khalila wasn’t that hard to deal with since we talked on Skype regularly, but I felt like a teenager speaking with her online so much of the time. To the contrary, I was forty-six and losing patience with this arrangement between us. 

I wanted Khalila with me and hoped I could convince her to pack things up and move to Miami. It wasn’t as if she had much to tie her to the island. Other than her best friend, Corinne, I wasn’t sure who else she’d be missing if she left. Her parents and her only brother lived in Miami, so I didn’t see any great obstacle to her moving. 

If it was a matter of them filing papers for her to live in the States permanently, I was sure her parents would have been delighted to do that, but Khalila had her own brand of stubbornness. She switched on the engine, and I pulled off my glasses and leaned toward her before she locked the seat belt. 

Our lips met in a deep kiss I needed after being away from her this long. 

I missed you, she said, wiping the corner of my mouth. 

I assumed she was wiping away lip gloss.

I’ve missed you too. 

She pulled away from the curb and we were out of the airport and on the Palisadoes road in a couple of minutes. The heat that was typical to the city of Kingston settled over me as I looked out the window at the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. The sun glinted off the waves and I focused on a cargo ship heading for the Kingston Harbour. My stomach growled and I asked, Where are you taking me for lunch? I’m starving. 

Why didn’t you eat before you got on the plane? Khalila asked in a teasing tone, as she shot me a glance.

Turning my head to look at her, I said, I had a meeting. 

My job sometimes meant long consultations and flying hundreds of miles to see clients on different islands, plus trips to conferences. 

Khalila patted my leg and gave me a soft smile. We can eat at my house or your hotel. 

I would have preferred the privacy of her home, except that she was still living where she’d cohabited with her ex-husband. It didn’t suit me to pressure her to find somewhere else to live. My instinct hadn’t steered me off track so far, and I hadn’t been wrong about the kind of woman Khalila was, despite the way our relationship started.

Khalila had gone through a rough time before we met and was delicate in many ways. She was also someone who didn’t know her strength, and it made me protective of her. She had a kind of innocence that was uncommon for a forty-three-year-old woman, but that was because she’d been sheltered for much of her life. When she squeezed my leg, my attention returned to her.

Let’s go straight to my hotel, I said, since it was easier to not have to drive anywhere after we ate.

With a sly grin, Khalila said, Somehow, I knew you’d say that. 

I chuckled and fondled her leg. So why did you give me an option? 

Her eyes danced as she slid me another glance. Because I was being considerate. 

After another pass of my hand over her thigh, I said, I appreciate that. 

Khalila wiggled her leg to shake herself loose. You know my thoughts on you feeling me up when I’m driving. 

I laughed and slipped my glasses back on. A man of my age does not feel up his woman. 

Laughing with me, she asked, Well, how else would you describe what you’re doing, and in public too? 

This time, my hand slid between her leg. "I have a right, ’specially since I haven’t seen you for real in six months." 

Stop it, Doug, she said, pressing her thighs together and swiping the hair away from her forehead. You’re such a liar. We were together last month. 

Well, it feels like at least half a year, I quipped.

Her gaze was wary, but she didn’t protest. I guessed she didn’t want me following up with my usual request for her to consider spending more time in Miami. I understood her need for independence, which she valued highly after being in a twenty-year marriage. Still, she had our relationship to consider.

We pulled into the parking garage of the hotel where I stayed whenever I came to Kingston and exchanged another kiss in the dim light. When we got out of the car, I removed both our traveling cases. 

This had become routine. Whenever I came to the city, Khalila met me and we checked into a suite. The one thing I stood firm on was that I wouldn’t lie down with her where she lived. I had problems making love to her in the bed where she’d slept with her ex-husband, and I suspected she’d have the same issues if I proposed anything like that. So, we met at The Ambassador, a hotel for business travelers. 

We checked in and rode the elevator to the suite on the tenth floor. In the brown-and-gold bedroom, I parked our suitcases inside the door before throwing my glasses aside and raiding her mouth, taking my time to reacquaint myself with the addictive taste and feel of her. Our tongues did a slow dance that made me want her more with every second we were connected.

Khalila slid her arms around my neck and melted into me, pressing her body against mine and moaning softly. I wanted to forget about lunch and devour her instead, but with considerable effort, I ended our kiss with a peck to one side of her mouth. I had something important to discuss with her, and sex could come after. 

The woman in my arms had become an important part of my life, and though she didn’t seem to know it, I couldn’t think of anything I’d deny her if she asked. 

She made a sound in her throat and tightened her arms around me when I tried stepping away. 

With a hand to her back, I whispered next to her lips. Later, hon. Right now, I need to get something in my stomach. 

Khalila did a little twist against me that told me she felt me poking her belly. Clasping her at the waist, I planted another kiss on her and then held her away. You’re a wicked woman, I said in a low voice. 

After tracing her ear with my tongue, I whispered all I was going to do to her before the night was over. 

She melted into me, stirring trouble all over again. 

Kally, stop it. I groaned and stepped away from her. We need to go downstairs. 

A few more minutes won’t kill you. 

It won’t, but you know me. I wriggled my eyebrows suggestively, but we both knew we wouldn’t make love until we weren’t rushing to be anywhere and the time was right.

She sighed and tilted her head back to look at the ceiling. You’re the limit, you know that? 

I shook my head and then kissed her on the nose. So you keep telling me, but I’m not. I just have more discipline than you do. 

Discipline be damned. 

I laughed as she turned up her nose and flounced away, putting extra swagger in her hips to drive me crazy. In the mirror, she fluffed her hair, licked her lips, and then pressed them together although she didn’t have a trace of lip gloss left on her mouth. That whole maneuver was designed to tempt me. 

And it did. 

Khalila turned and cut her eyes at me, but the twitch to her lips told me she wasn’t as upset as she pretended to be. 

With my arms folded across my chest, I studied her and nodded my approval. 

She cocked her head as if asking for an explanation, but I shook mine. My facial expression said enough. If time allowed, I’d look at my woman all day and night.

Of the two of us, Khalila had little restraint when it came to sex. This evening, I’d put some extra-special loving on her. After that, I wanted to make a radical change in our relationship. 

She came toward me, hips swaying and a secret smile in place. 

My smile widened to match hers as I feasted my eyes on her body.

Taking her by the elbow, I led her from the room. We strolled to the elevator, exchanged a few slow, hot kisses while it descended, and then walked hand in hand to the restaurant. When we were seated in the cool interior, decorated in dark-brown-and-cream furnishing, I continued watching Khalila.

You’re doing that thing again, she said, leaning toward me.

My smile widened, then I said, I know.

At that point, we both chuckled.

Khalila never got used to me eyeing her as if I wanted to devour her, as she put it. And I doubted I’d ever get tired of looking at her.

While we ate chicken paninis, she chatted about a new scent she’d added to her line of body butters. Her enthusiasm kept me interested and impressed with how she’d grown the business she started in her home a year ago.

Hand to her cheek, she asked. How long will your meeting last this afternoon?

Not more than an hour.

A slow, mischievous grin captured her mouth. Good. I want you back sooner, rather than later.

The meeting ran just over an hour, and my client was satisfied with the gains on his investments. Neville Maye was easy to deal with since he understood the nuances of money market securities. We shook hands and in a few minutes I was out of his office building and sitting in the rented Camry.

Earlier, Khalila drove her car home and I’d be picking her up shortly. I wasn’t sure how much she could get done in just over an hour, but she’d changed her mind about waiting for me at the hotel. According to Khalila, I was taking her away from her mixing, which entailed creating batches of body butters.

The traffic was light, and since I knew which roads to avoid, I was at her house in fifteen minutes. A tap of the horn brought her outside in another five. She’d changed into a pair of black pants and a blouse, in several shades of green, that floated around her as she moved. Khalila slid into the car, dropped her handbag on her lap, and brushed my lips with hers. Then she lifted one eyebrow. Did you miss me?

As much as you missed me. I squeezed her thigh and waited while she fastened the seat belt. What are we doing this evening?

This time, she raised both eyebrows. You have to ask?

We laughed over her question and made small talk to pass the time as we weaved through the city toward the hotel. The sparse traffic gave way to the business district where the roads were chock-full of vehicles, and pedestrians who ruled the sidewalks. At the next stoplight, Khalila waved at an untidy young man as he approached with a squeegee and a bottle of soapy water.

No, thanks, she mouthed through the window.

That didn’t stop him. He moved quickly, soaping and then wiping the windscreen.

Khalila lowered the window and exchanged a few words with him before handing him some coins.

What’s that about? I asked when she sat back in the seat. The wipers work perfectly fine.

I know, but he needs the money, so… She shrugged. Don’t worry about it.

There was a finality to her tone that made me opt not to continue the conversation. As the months passed, Khalila grew more confident in our relationship and took exactly what she wanted from me whenever we made love. Out of necessity, we squeezed every drop from the time we spent with each other.

She asked me to stop at a high-end Chinese restaurant to pick up food she’d ordered. We both enjoyed the Szechuan cuisine, which featured hot, spicy menu items enhanced by flavorful, local Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Chuckling, I remarked, You either have a yen for that food or for something else. Which is it?

The food right now. Stroking my cheek, she added, Then something else later.

While Khalila went inside to collect the food, I checked my messages. Minutes later, she came back to the car, laid the bags on the back seat and climbed in next to me. We need to hurry before the food gets cold in the air conditioning.

To satisfy Khalila and my growing desire for her, I put my foot on the gas and got us back to the hotel in a short time.

Dinner consisted of us talking about what my daughters were doing and the strides Khalila was making with her business. We watched television and sipped wine, to Khalila’s disgust.

I deliberately kept things at my pace to enhance her excitement.

At bedtime, she showed me exactly why I missed having her with me each night. I took my time making love to her and prolonged the tension between us, until we both crashed over the edge in a sweaty pile. As she continued to shudder, I pulled out the ring I’d stuck under the pillow and slipped it on her finger. I love you, Khalila. Marry me…please.

She curled her fist, then flexed her fingers and brought the ring close to her face to peer at the 24-karat gold ring with a cluster of diamonds nestled in a channel. The diamonds, arranged in a circle, winked as flashes of light danced off them.

Khalila’s mouth opened and she licked her lips. Then she curled on her side, faced me, and sighed.

I kissed her, knowing she was coming up with something I didn’t want to hear.

Doug…

I’m not taking no for an answer, I said, letting my breath out in a harsh gust. You know how I feel about what we’re doing. I haven’t pressured you, but I want you for keeps. You know what.

She sighed again. Yes, I do.

So, what’s keeping you from making me a happy man?

Our eyes met in the darkness broken by the light from the window, and she cupped my cheek. I’m not ready to tell you. Let’s sleep on it tonight and we’ll talk in the morning.

I pulled away to look at her. You’re kidding me, right?

She shook her head as she trailed a finger down my stomach. I’ve never been more serious.

When her hand found its target, I sucked in a deep breath and cleared the huskiness from my throat. You’re gonna play dirty too?

Her laughter was soft and sultry. If that’s what you call it.

With all this diversion you’re doing, this has to be something big.

She refused to look at me as she traced a path to my belly button, but her smug expression told me she had a secret. Stop fishing and let’s enjoy each other.

I brushed her neck with my moustache, and as she shivered, I whispered, Whatever you want, Kally.

She moaned and pulled me closer. I like the sound of that.

I kissed the soft globes of her breasts, mumbling in between. As long as you’re gonna marry me, you can have anything you like.

She gripped my head between her hands to look me in the eyes. Anything?

Without hesitation, I nodded. Anything.

two

I want us to have a baby.

The sun’s rays slanted across the polished, hardwood flooring in the living area of the suite, heralding the new morning. We’d been up for an hour and ordered room service for breakfast because I needed the privacy of our room for this discussion.

The forkful of fish in Doug’s hand stopped halfway to his mouth, before he rested it on the plate. He squinted and then asked, What did you say?

My back stiffened as I answered, keeping a neutral tone. You heard me.

Doug looked at the plate as if he wasn’t sure he wanted the rest of the bammies and escoveitched fish, but the golden-brown cassava and the batter-fried fish—heaped with onion and pepper, steeped in vinegar—was a favorite of his. He picked up the cup of coffee next to his hand, sipped, and put it back on the saucer. Then he cleared his throat, but the puzzlement in his gaze was obvious.

This was the first time I’d ever seen him thrown way off balance. I was almost sorry for him.

That was the last thing I expected you to say. He waited a beat before asking, Why?

With one eyebrow raised, I said, Why not?

He sighed, rested his arms on the table, and frowned. My kids are almost grown and…

My elevated eyebrow reduced his words to a trickle. Monique and Kimone—nineteen and seventeen—were as unalike as chalk and cheese. I didn’t doubt that marrying Doug would mean interesting times ahead.

Folding my arms, I cocked my head. So the girls are adults. Your point is?

Doug spread his hands while his frown deepened. That’s just it. What am I going to do with a baby?

I let my hands fall to the table and pulled my head back while the bottom fell out of my stomach and my appetite disappeared. I beg your pardon?

With another heavy sigh, Doug continued, All I’m saying is that I’m forty-six years old and…

My patience ran out and I snapped, I know how old you are.

He stared into the cup, while I studied the ring on my finger. I still wasn’t ready to give up my new-found independence after my divorce, but I also knew Doug was serious about wanting to marry me. I hadn’t refused the ring he put on my finger last night and in both our minds that spelled acceptance.

I loved Doug, but we couldn’t have a relationship without give and take.

Kally. I looked into his troubled eyes as he spoke. Have you thought about all the implications?

My lips twisted and I reminded myself that I needed to be conciliatory rather than combative. Of course.

He laid a hand on his chest, which lifted in a deep inhale. You never said anything.

My voice turned sharp when I replied, I don’t tell you everything.

Yeah, but something this big… He gazed through the plate glass at the street below, where traffic was already bumper to bumper, and rubbed