My eyes shot open and I smelled her. I found comfort in her warmth, felt the prickles of her short, curly hair poking my face and I realized it wasn’t a dream. I’d had Rayna back in my arms. I couldn’t believe she cut her fucking hair. I didn’t like the bold move, but goddamm if that wasn’t my Rayna. She was an extremist. I’d assumed it was a part of her rebellious and independent nature. As much as I hated admitting it, I loved the new look. It turned me the fuck on and had me almost fucking her in the lobby of the rec center when I’d laid eyes on her. She looked like a new woman, stronger than the one I knew. I know that’s crazy to think, but she did. I rushed to touch her, to claim her as mine. To remind me of who I was to her more than anything.
I fucking missed her like mad. Like a bitch, I pined after her in her stubborn absence. The last time I’d woken up I had to prove to myself that she was there in the flesh by making love to her and feeling her detonate from another orgasm. I couldn’t get enough of her. I hated to leave her. I could rest in bed with her all day and comfort her from her pending hellish symptoms.
Unfortunately, it was time for me to start my day beginning with an eight a.m. East Coast Time conference call with Richard, my business partner, followed by my morning workout with Tyler. I tip-toed out of Rayna’s room and managed to leave without even a stir from Azna.
I walked out of her place feeling reprieved. I also felt peace, something that fleeted when she left the marina that night. I was happy to have that portion of myself settled. It was the major component of my life, something that became clear when she left. I could now move on to what I knew best, hustling. Work was the skin to my being. It buffered me and protected me. But even this theory was tested when Rayna turned my life upside down by leaving.
My day kicked off with new found vigor. The past week had been hell, beginning with being in denial the first two days without Rayna. I thought I was the Old Divine, who swore he would never allow a woman to affect his world in a way that it ricocheted his work and overall existence. That is some sucker shit. I’m a man. A man that could survive and flourish with or without a woman. My experience with Tara’s cheating and manipulative tendencies only further intensified this mantra. When Rayna left me that night, not only was I hit with the revelation that I was never as emotionally drawn to Tara as I thought I’d been, but also that I was in deeper with Rayna than I’d previously known.
My time with Tyler that morning corroborated my theory. He told me that although my stamina was off, my focus had returned. I knew that my energy had been depleted during the night before and early morning activities with Rayna Brimm. I was just happy to have my mojo restored.
After my workout, I checked in with Yazmine to be sure she was set for the day before I got into the full swing of mine. She seemed to be excited about finally spending some time with Rayna. I’d been putting her off for some time. She had been in town for only four days, but during our second dinner she asked very dubiously about the beauty that I’d brought to New York when I came to see her for the first time since she disappeared from my life. I explained that Rayna’s lead role at the practice required late nights and early mornings and that as soon as she could clear her calendar I’d set something up. As I sat at my desk listening to Brett shoot off updates and upcoming action items, I fought to suppress my trepidations of her not showing up for dinner tonight.
“Sir?” I heard Brett call out to me.
“Yes.”