A Tempting Proposal (Kimani Romance) (15 page)

Bending down on one knee, Daman pulled out the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling as she got lost in his eyes.

“Imani Rayne, will you marry me?”

Wiping the tears off her face, she tried her best to control all the emotions she was feeling.

“When I first met you, I thought you were arrogant and sarcastic. I thought you saw yourself as God’s gift to women.” Hearing Taheim and Jaleen laugh behind them caused her to smile.

“But I was wrong to judge you. The more I got to know you, the more I learned about the true Daman Barker...the man behind the sarcastic comments and arrogant ways. Being a proud man doesn’t make you arrogant, and your sarcasm was just a part of your sense of humor. I think I’ve slowly been falling in love with you since the day we met, even though I’ve tried to keep myself from doing just that. I’d forgotten that we were supposed to be vying for the estate, too. I do remember that time playing when we were younger, and I also remember making Gamine promise to take me to play with you again one day. Your strength and determination are only a few qualities of yours that have made me fall deeper in love with you.”

Talking a little softer, Imani continued. “I admire the man that you are so much, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else. Yes, Daman Barker, I will marry you because I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

As Daman slid the ring on her finger, he looked into her eyes, and Imani saw the love that he had for her. He also handed her a paper that showed the Simses had released both properties to the future Mr. and Mrs. Daman Barker, on the condition that they could only get the properties as husband and wife. All of their family and friends were clapping and cheering for them, but as his lips got closer to hers, all she could think about was how happy she was to be sharing her life with such an amazing man.

As soon as his lips touched hers, she felt the butterflies in her stomach and welcomed the feelings and emotions she used to try to hide. Daman had taught her to let go of the past and focus on the present, when he had actually been a part of her past. They had been the missing piece in each other’s puzzle. They had been missing that piece of their past
and
their present lives. But now, sharing this kiss with Daman, she couldn’t think of the past or the present...only a future with the man who’d stolen her heart.

Epilogue

I
mani stared out the bedroom window on the top floor of her grandfather’s house, and couldn’t help but smile at how wonderful all the decorations in the backyard looked. The landscape was already beautiful, but the elegant decorations that had been added took her breath away.

Elite Events Incorporated had managed to pull off the wedding of the year in only two months. She knew that Cyd, Lex, Mya and the team were overwhelmed with how quickly they had to pull everything together, but after all, it was her wedding, and she wanted the day to be perfect. Luckily, she had friends and family who loved her so much that they were willing to dedicate their time to make sure everything went off without a hitch.

Frank’s trial was starting soon, and Daman had insisted that they get married before it began. They were lucky enough to be blessed with a seventy-degree October day, and Imani couldn’t be happier.

“Sis, I know it’s your big day and you’re entitled to do what you want, but if we don’t get you in this wedding dress, Mom and Mrs. Barker are going to hurt us. The wedding is already running behind schedule.”

She laughed at Cyd’s comment because her bridesmaids were all in their lavender dresses, yet she and Daman had shown up late for their own wedding. Traditionally, the bride and groom were not supposed to see each other the night before the big day. Daman figured that getting a quickie in on the day of the wedding didn’t count. When he showed up at her condo at 12:01 a.m., she didn’t have the heart to tell him that his version of “tradition” was wrong.

“We know what you’re thinking about,” Mya said. “And don’t think we couldn’t hear what you were doing in your bedroom. We were right down the hall.”

“And Aunt Hope would seriously kill us if she knew we let you and Daman fool around the morning of your wedding,” Lex added. “We were supposed to be there to make sure that didn’t happen.”

Imani didn’t care. She was glad he’d stopped over. They’d been doing so much planning that they’d barely gotten a chance to see each other.

Cyd cleared her throat, causing Imani to glance over at her. Lately, Cyd had seemed bothered by something, and Imani wished she knew what it was. She’d asked her several times while they were planning the wedding, and each time, Cyd said she was fine. But she knew better. Something was bothering Cyd, and after her honeymoon, she’d have to focus on getting Cyd to talk about whatever was troubling her.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Oh, no,” Lex said, as she went over to answer the door. She assumed it was Hope or one of the aunts. Instead, all the women were surprised to see Mrs. Sims.

“Imani, you don’t have on your dress yet!” Mrs. Sims said in surprise. Imani got up to hug the woman who held a special place in her heart.

“No, but I was just about to put it on.”

“Well, now you can wait,” Mrs. Sims replied before turning toward the bridesmaids. “Ladies, can we have a minute?”

“Sure,” Cyd answered, as she ushered everyone out of the room.

“Imani, sweetie, I have something to share with you,” Mrs. Sims said. “By now, you know that I had the pleasure of watching both you and Daman grow up. Through your union, Patricia and I have reconnected, and I’m so happy that you and Daman are getting married.”

Imani watched as Mrs. Sims pulled out an envelope with her name on it.

“Sweetie, Gamine asked me to give you this letter on your wedding day. I would explain more, but it is my understanding that this letter will explain it all.”

Imani couldn’t slow the beating of her heart. Her eyes instantly filled with tears at how monumental the moment was. She’d wished every night that Gamine could be at her wedding, and now, she had a letter that was written to her to read on her wedding day. Mrs. Sims kissed her cheek before heading toward the door.

Opening the handwritten letter, she quickly steadied her shaking hands and began reading.

My Dearest Imani,

Of all my grandchildren, you were always the nurturer—the one who would try her best to make sure everyone was okay and getting along. Your heart loves to its fullest, and you are so giving that I hope you make sure to give a little to yourself, too. I know today is your wedding day, and more than anything I wish I were there for you. I know the grandkids never liked my meddling, but in this case, I think you’ll forgive me. I thank Daman’s father, Stan, for making his son believe the estate was something he should go after because I did the same thing for you. Of course, Stan and I always thought we’d be around to see the love story unfold, but everything happens for a reason. We knew that when the time was right and the Simses decided to sell, you both would try to fulfill our wishes. And I’m forever grateful to the Simses, as well as Vicky and Pete for fulfilling my wishes, as crazy as I knew they were. Baby, you and Daman were meant for each other. This was the only way I could think of to get you both together. Don’t ask me how I knew you two would eventually fall in love. A grandmother just knows these things. I asked Mrs. Sims to withhold this letter if either of you had found love elsewhere, so if you’re reading this, that means fate has played a hand, as well. Enjoy the estate because it does hold the answers you and Daman were searching for...a fulfilling life with the one person you can’t live without. There will be good times and bad times, as there are in every marriage. Always remember to cherish the good times, and never forget that together, you can overcome any obstacle. I may have left this earth, but I will forever be in your heart. It was my time to go, and now my dear Imani...it is your time to live...

With all the love in my heart,

Gamine

The tears running down Imani’s face weren’t sad tears but tears of happiness. In more ways than one, Gamine had filled an emptiness she’d felt in her heart and answered a lot of questions that she and Daman had after they thought about their journey to finding each other. She hid the letter in her purse as she heard the door open and saw the concerned looks on her bridesmaids’ faces.

“I’ll be fine, ladies, don’t worry.”

Cyd was staring at her the hardest, and she knew none of the women believed her.

“Come on, seriously. Are you all going to stand there and look at me or help me get ready? I’m dying to marry that man down there, but I can’t get married looking like this.”

All four women laughed and started working.

* * *

Imani leaned over and kissed Daman as they shared their first dance as husband and wife. The wedding had been everything they’d hoped for, packed with friends and family from all over the country. Breaking off the kiss, she couldn’t help but laugh at the irritated look on Daman’s face.

“Woman, you will not be breaking kisses with me anytime you please. As your husband, I can kiss you for as long as I want, anytime I want.”

Tilting her head, she tried to figure out what she could say to make him see reason.

“Baby, I know that, but everyone is watching us, and I can feel you getting excited.”

Daman shrugged and glanced around the room. “I don’t care.”

Laughing again, Imani decided to give in and continue kissing her husband. She heard a few catcalls from the women and chants from the men as their kiss deepened. Imani felt something slowly brush her cheek and lifted her head to see what it was. Glancing down, she saw a beautiful white feather that was almost unnoticeable because it blended with her dress. She looked at Daman and saw that he noticed it, too. Picking up the feather, Daman placed it behind her ear before they continued their dance.

Glancing around the room at her cousins, she noticed that they had seen the feather, too. She saw Mya hug Cyd and Lex as each woman dabbed their eyes. She knew then that none of them had tossed the feather, which could only mean one thing—Gamine was looking down on them.

“I think Gamine is trying to tell you something,” Daman whispered in Imani’s ear. She had shared the contents of the letter with him, and they agreed it would be their secret for now.

“I think she is, too, and I got the message loud and clear.”

* * * * *

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A TEMPTING PROPOSAL

ISBN: 9781460313657

Copyright © 2013 by Sherelle Green

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