TWENTY
After Ker set the helicopter down at a private airport, Tiana was whisked away in a black Lincoln town car into town. It wasn’t New York City, but still had shopping malls and restaurants galore.
When Ker told her to dressy comfy, she had no idea what he had going through his head. He told her he’d spent the morning making plans while she was with the women feeding babies. Now, she knew where he was off to during that time.
She wondered if he did that much—staying away from dealing with the children. Would he change dripping-green-shit diapers or feed puking babies? Would he be a good father overall? She had to think about these things if she were to get serious with Ker. This was want she wanted for her life. Her childhood may have been terrible, but the rest of her life would be from her choosing.
The car came to a stop in front of a fancy clothing store. It looked very high-end. The kind of place she normally walked right on by. A schoolteacher’s salary didn’t allow for frivolous things like expensive clothes and jewelry, purses and shoes.
The driver opened her door and she stepped out, wondering what she was supposed to do. Ker said he’d meet her at the restaurant where he had reservations. From inside the store, a saleslady came out and gave her a big hug.
“You must be Tiana. You look a little lost,” the lady said. She wore a costly dress and fancy shoes from the store. She looked the part. “I’m Sandi. Come inside, we’ve been waiting for you.”
That surprised her. “You have?”
“Why, yes,” the woman replied. “When Ker called this morning to tell us you were coming, we were thrilled. He is one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met.”
A ting of jealousy hit her heart. Dammit, she hated that. She wasn’t that type of person. “How do you know Ker?” Tiana asked.
“I’m from the first class that graduated from his school. He found me in the orphanage and took me there. After that, he loaned me money to start my store. I owe him so much.”
“You own this store?” Tiana coughed and slapped her chest. She was standing with the head honcho. She never thought about it, but someone had to own all the Macy’s and Saks. And the woman was helping her—a nobody, a pee on.
“Are you ready to get started?” Sandi quizzed. “We only have a couple hours.”
“Only a couple hours?” Tiana sputtered. “What are we doing?”
Sandi laid a hand on her arm. “Everything.”
Twenty minutes later, Tiana stood in front of the dressing room’s tri-fold mirror, wearing the most expensive dress she’d ever touched. But she loved it. Would sell her soul for it, probably. Silky layers of blue draped to the floor, laying smoothly over her body, accenting her good parts.
“You look stunning, dear,” Sandi gushed. “That color is definitely you.”
“I agree,” she said breathless.
“Don’t move,” Sandi instructed. No problem for her. She’d stand and stare at the gorgeous dress all day. The owner hurried back with a pair of shoes that matched perfectly and were only three-inches high. She could walk in those. Much more than that and it became a free-for-all.
She slipped them on. The woman was amazing. She knew all her sizes without asking. Sandi rushed away with the same instructions not to go anywhere. By the time it was all said and done, Tiana modeled the dress, matching shoes, coordinating shawl, earrings, necklace, anklet, handbag, and sexy lingerie underneath.
She felt like a princess and her eyes started to tear. Sandi frowned. “What’s wrong, dear? What do you not like?”
“No, I love everything. It’s just—nobody has ever done something like this for me. I work hard for the money I earn and I’ve never had the opportunity to be in stuff so nice. I’m used to old T-shirts and cut off jean shorts.
Sandi gave her a hug. “I know exactly what you mean. When I was in the orphanage, none of the kids had very much. Ker gives out money as easily as he gives his heart.”
Tiana nodded. If she spoke, she’d turn into a blubbering mess.
“Now, take off everything,” Sandi said, peeling the material draped over Tiana’s shoulders. Was she joking? She had to give it all back? What was going on. When she was dressed in the clothes she walked in with, Sandi took her hand and led her through the store to the center displays.
“Sit here,” the woman told her, “and Angie will do your makeup.” Tiana blushed, embarrassed with herself for thinking the worst about the setup. But in her life, that was mostly what she got. Maybe her luck was changing.
When her face was done, Sandi took her next door to a hair salon. They had it all here. Two hours from the time she got out of the car, she was back in, feeling like a brand-new person, someone who was loved and wanted. She made her mind up there and then. Ker was the man for her. His heart was big enough to hold her, all the children at the school, and a family. She chose him, forever.
The car stopped in front of a restaurant that she would’ve never gone to on her own. But dressed how she was, looking as fine as she did, she was ready for this. She hoped Ker liked everything as much as Sandi had.
The driver held the building’s front door for her and she was immediately greeted by the blond hostess. “You must be with Ker,” she said. “You’re even more beautiful than he described.” Tiana’s face heated. Ker would never stop surprising her.
The blonde led Tiana to a balcony table overlooking the river. Ker hadn’t arrived yet, so she sat to watch the peaceful water. Ships floated and zipped past, each on their way to wherever. The soft music in the background caught her attention. Fur Elise, Beethoven.
She smiled and thought back to her conversation with Ker about the time he studied with the infamous composer. Beethoven wrote this song for the only person he loved, the one he wanted to share his life with until the day he died. She sighed at the romantic gesture. She was such a softie.
The music changed to a modern-day tune. She recognized it from the radio. The lyrics spoke of everlasting love, and destinies pre-ordained to be together. It’d make a beautiful wedding song. As the piano player came to the first stanza, she was ready to quietly sing along.
Then the most amazing voice she’d ever heard filled her ears, penetrated her body. Deep timbre and clearly pitched notes sent chills through her. She turned in her seat to find the musician. In the far corner on a piano bench, her Ker locked eyes with her. He sang to her, only her, his enduring love and devotion. That was it. If she had any doubts before, now, she was completely in, hook—line—sinker.
He slid from the bench, another man taking his spot to keep the song playing. He walked toward her. His words came from his heart, even though written by some songwriter in LA.
It was just her and him in the restaurant. Everyone else disappeared. He was gorgeous in his suit. She was sure every female had her eyes on him, but she didn’t care. He belonged to her and she would never doubt his loyalty.
He stepped onto the balcony, bringing the doors closed behind him as his voice whispered out the last words of the love song. He took her hand and helped her stand then twirled her around.
“You are truly stunning. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he said full of amazement. He pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Was Sandi helpful?”
“She was fantastic. I can’t thank you enough for all this—”
He dipped down for a kiss, soft and domineering. “Don’t worry. I have planned out how you’re going to show me your thanks.” The twinkle in his eye and dip in his voice sent hot horny toads straight to her pussy. Oh god. She couldn’t wait.