Broken (Endurance) (16 page)

"Max, how do you feel about Uriel? Do we have everything he needs to stay the night?" Mei asked..

Max placed his arm around her. "Yes, he will finally have his mom and dad under one roof."

"Yeah, you’re right."

"Max," Renee called in a sing song voice. "Can you help me with something?"

Max turned his attention to Renee, He just wanted to spend some quality time with his wife and make sure their hut was safe enough for Uriel. Renee struck a nerve with him and he really didn't want to be bothered by her.  "I have to take care of my family first." Max called over his shoulder as he led Mei to their hut.

Renee tried to keep her cool as she stomped away. She was not about to give up so easily. Determined that she would pique Max's sexual interest, she devised a scheme to catch him alone. Renee believed that all men were interested in only one thing and one thing only, and that was sex. Once she’d worked her magic, she would have him begging for more.

Mei walked silently ahead of Max, her pace quickened by anger.

"Mei, what's wrong?" Max   hurried to keep up.

Mei shook her head as she walked, her arms folded across her chest. She pushed open the door to their bamboo hut welcoming the cool air that flowed through. Mei relaxed as she walked around the empty circular hut. The floor was made of bamboo and she took a deep breath as she enjoyed the fresh air and scent of the tropical plants that grew around the hut.

"Is it Renee?" Max asked, ruining her peaceful state.

"Max, she throws herself at you as if I wasn't even standing right there next to you."

"Mrs. Martinez, do you trust me?"

Mei turned to look at Max. "I trust God."

Max was a little taken aback, but understood her answer. He liked what she said, knowing she was right. "Then trust that God would not allow a hoe to come between us."

Mei slowly nodded. "It's just that she makes my blood crawl. Why would they have someone like that in
a
place like this?"

"I was wondering the same thing."

"Well, Sandra mentioned something about Renee being her responsibility," Mei added.

"Sucks for Sandra." Max walked towards Mei. "So, will we be breaking in a new bed tonight?" He smiled as he grabbed her by the waist.

She reached up on the tips of her toes and kissed Max. He picked her up, straddling her legs around him. Mei ran her fingers through his hair, forcefully and playfully yanking his head back. She gently bit his neck, slowly gliding her mouth to his ear and whispering, "When you build a bed."

Max laughed and he slowly set her down. "I think I’ve created a monster." He held onto her. "You got me dying for you," he whispered in her ear.

Mei felt chills roll down her spine. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his chest.   She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

Steel Pan

Tamarius watched Makayla as she walked across the living room and into the kitchen. They hadn't spoken for three days. He’d, of course, tried to talk to her, however Makayla was stubborn. Tamarius knew that something else was bothering her beside the little argument they’d had a few days earlier. He just couldn't get all the details.

The house was busy. Everyone was preparing for a party in Tia's favor. Fa wanted to celebrate his niece's recovery. Tia was off her crutches, her fractures had healed completely. The doctors were baffled, unaware of what had taken place for her to heal so quickly. Although she could walk, her body was still weak.

Tamarius walked outside to help Makayla's father pull out chairs and tables for the guests that would be arriving shortly.

Makayla gazed out of the kitchen window, staring at Tamarius. She missed him and needed him, but didn't want to get him involved in her mess. The demon that had attacked her three nights earlier had opened old wounds; wounds she had thought healed. She feared losing what she had with Tamarius because of that demon.

"Honey, when are
you
going to talk to that boy?" Coretta asked.

Makayla quickly looked down into the sink trying to refocus her attention on washing a large pot. "Mom, it's not that simple."

"Well, if you scrub that pot any longer there won't be anything left." Coretta eased the pot out of her hands and rinsed it off.

"Sorry, Mom." Makayla found a towel to dry her hands with.

"Kay, I don't know what's going through your head, but if someone really loves you, nothing you tell them will make them walk away."

"I just don't want him to get hurt."

"Hurt?  D’you see the size of that man? Who crazy enough to hurt him, besides Bruce Lee over there?" Coretta pointed to Mei's father.

Makayla laughed.  Bruce Lee indeed.   "Do you think I'm with the right guy?"

Coretta turned off the water and put the pot on the stove. She dried her hands on her apron and looked at her daughter. "What I think is not as important as how you feel about him. Yes, for the first time I know you’ve got it right, but do you know that?"

Makayla stood silent for a moment, pondering her mother's question. "I guess I’m letting my fear destroy the one thing I am trying to protect."

Coretta nodded, happy to hear her daughter finally making sense. "Go... go and talk to him. The man has been watching you like an abandoned puppy for three days."

Makayla slowly walked out of the kitchen.  Her hand on the doorknob, she turned back to her mother. "Thank you, Mom."

"You’re welcome, love."

Makayla walked out to the back patio, her eyes locked on Tamarius as he spoke and laughed with her father. As if he felt her gaze, he stopped and turned in her direction.

Convinced that she was coming to talk to her father, Tamarius held back on all he wanted to say to her. Their eyes met as she came closer. Makayla stopped in front of Tamarius and stared at him.

Fa fidgeted a moment then wiped his brow.  “I’m thirsty.  I’ll go round up something to drink.”

Tamarius' fingertips ached to touch her. He’d been rejected so many times over the past few days that he didn't dare.

Makayla closed her eyes and lowered her head for a second. She opened her eyes and looked up at him again. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"For what?"

"Shutting you out."

"Why are you shutting me out?"

Makayla glanced at the chairs sitting in the shade. Tamarius read her mind and walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. Makayla joined him.

"Talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

"The demon that we dealt with the other day was the same demon that came after me in the past. I thought I’d gotten rid of him. Every time I get serious with someone, he comes back to destroy the relationship.  I don't want him to win this time."

"Is this why you've been pushing me away?"

"Yeah, I... I don't..."

Tamarius pulled his chair closer to her. "You don't want me involved," he said finishing her sentence.

Makayla looked into his grey eyes and shook her head. "I don't want to lose you." She smiled.

"I love you. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"I’ve never felt this way.  I’ve never had such an intense love. I didn't think this was possible," Makayla said under her breath. "I...love you, T."

Tamarius was overwhelmed by his emotions on hearing Makayla tell him she loved him for the first time. "Wow, I don't think I ever heard you say that."

"I've told you before," Makayla said with a loving smile.

"Come here?" He stood.

Makayla rose and stepped into his embrace.

"Don't ever assume I won't be there for you. Promise me."

Makayla looked up into
h
is face. "I promise."

Moments later, guests began to arrive for the party. Workers from the orphanages, all of Makayla's family and some of Tamarius' family had all been invited. Everyone had a good time and they were thrilled to see Tia on her way to a full recovery.

It was past midnight when the last few guest finally left. Makayla told her parents to go to bed.  They both looked exhausted. Her mother was reluctant, but she gave in. Makayla sent Tia to bed, also. She still needed much rest to complete her recovery. Tia didn’t argue and went to bed.

It took them hours, but Tamarius and Makayla finally finished cleaning up after the party. When everything was cleared, they sat outside enjoying the night’s cool breeze. After a moment, Tamarius stood and walked to the steel pan drums. He picked up the sticks and began to play. Makayla smiled.  She loved steel pan. The sounds echoed through her, beating right into her soul. She walked over to Tamarius and stood in front of him admiring the music.

"I didn't know you played."

"My father made us pick an instrument when we were young."

"You’re good." Makayla smiled.

"Did you ever play?"

"No, just enjoyed the sounds.  It soothes me," she mumbled.

Tamarius grinned and stopped. "Come." He motioned for her to join him.

Makayla stepped between him and the steel drum. Tamarius put the sticks in her hands and pulled her close to him. "Okay, just relax," he whispered into her ear. He placed his hands over hers and began to play 'Old time something.'

Makayla smiled as he guided her hands, beating out the rhythm.

Tamarius breathed in her scent as he began to kiss her neck. Her ponytail fell to the side exposing the back of her neck.  He kissed the back of her neck.

Makayla could feel him losing his focus. The kisses he placed on the back of her neck caused her heart to skip a beat as she dropped the sticks. They both stood silent for a second before he spun her around, kissing her wildly.

Makayla slipped her hands under his shirt, running her nails over his muscles. He picked her up as she placed her arms around his neck. They kissed until they were both breathless.

"Stop, before I rape you right here," Makayla teased.

"Can't call it rape if we both want it." Tamarius tried to catch his breath. He had Maka
yla pinned up against the seven-
foot fence. He slowly let her down until she leaned her head on his chest. "When do we go home?" Tamarius joked.

"I'm ready to go now," Makayla joked back as she stepped from around him.

"I can call the jet now." Tamarius was now serious.

Makayla smiled as she stepped towards him to touch his cheek.

"I think you should go, stand far over there, right now," Tamarius said, pointing across the pool.

"Tamarius, are you serious?" Makayla laughed.

"Hey, you don't have the same tools I have."

"I'm going to bed." Makayla laughed and walked off.

Tamarius eventually made it into the house. He wanted to see Makayla one last time before he went to bed. He tapped on her door and Makayla poked her head around the door.

"I just want to tell you goodnight."

"Goodnight, baby."

Tamarius could see that she was wearing one of his favorite nightgowns. "What are you