Black Love: Love By Any Means Necessary

Black Love:

LOVE

By Any Means Necessary

BLACK LOVE:

LOVE

By Any Means Necessary

BRENDA HAMPTON

Brenda Hampton Entertainment

P.O. Box 773

Bridgeton, MO 63044

Love By Any Means Necessary

Copyright © 2017 Brenda Hampton

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

Printed in the United States of America

This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 978-1978293489

Monai

Chapter One

For the past two weeks or so, it had been pouring down raining. The sun had basically disappeared and the clouds made the sky appear gloomy, which was exactly how I felt. With a coffee mug gripped in my hand, I sat on the nook in front of a bay window while gazing outside. Tears were welled in my eyes. I couldn’t stop thinking about the unfortunate situation I’d allowed to happen last night. Demetrious was long gone, but the memories of what had transpired between us hammered my brain. Lord knows I shouldn’t have let him come inside. I’d told myself over and over again that our relationship was a wrap. I had put it to rest two years ago. Simply, because, Demetrious was no good for me and our relationship was toxic. Through the eyes of many, he was classified as a bad boy. One who couldn’t be trusted, one who was a habitual liar, and one who definitely ignored the definition of respect. I suffered plenty of days and nights behind his actions, and after a three-year-long relationship, I decided to throw in the towel and call it quits.

That was then, this was now. Now, I had opened the door for him to slide back in. He’d always wanted back in, and for quite some time, I was able to ignore his pursuit of interfering with my happiness. But last night, things changed. Not by much, but it was enough to make me feel horrible about what I’d done. My timing was off because the new man in my life, Nate, wouldn’t approve of this. If he’d ever found out what I’d done, he’d be disappointed in me. More than anything, he would hand me my walking papers and never look back. He was a no-nonsense kind of man; a man who would never share me with another. I’d told him every single detail about my relationship with Demetrious. Nate was glad it was over. So was I, but then there was last night. I couldn’t stop thinking about why I’d not only opened the door, but also opened my legs for Demetrious to come inside. As a slow tear rolled down my face, I swallowed the oversized lump in my throat and thought about my night with Demetrious.

Around 7:00 p.m., there was a knock at the door. Nate had just dropped me off, and we’d had an amazing time at a picnic earlier. The only reason he didn’t stay the night with me was because he had an early doctor’s appointment the next day and needed to get some rest. I thought it was him at the door, but when I looked through the peephole, I saw Demetrious. I slowly backed away from the door and silenced myself so he would think I wasn’t home. But his knocks became harder and harder. He called out my name and begged me to open the door.

Please, he said in a whisper. I need you, Mo. I know you’re in there, and I saw you get out of your man’s car. Ju . . . Just open the door so we can talk. I have so much that I need to tell you right now.

At the moment, his soft spoken words didn’t move me. I’d heard it all before, and who did he think he was stalking me? Had he been lurking around my house? In order for him to see me exit Nate’s car, Demetrious must’ve been hiding somewhere. The thought angered me. My face tightened; I marched toward the door to open it. Before my hand touched the doorknob, I took a deep breath and turned to the right to examine my appearance in the mirror. While my clothes were a bit wrinkled from being at the picnic, my thin braids that were parted through the middle and hung along the sides of my face were still intact. My butterscotch colored skin glowed, and the ruby-red gloss on my full lips added more beauty. My appearance shouldn’t have mattered, but Demetrious had always been so critical of my looks in the past. Through his eyes, I was too skinny and I needed more curves. He loved women with curves and the multiple women he’d seen during our relationship had plenty of curves and then some, according to him. Him who had no business at my door, demanding anything from me.

With my face scrunched, I pulled on the doorknob and was now face-to-face with my ex. I wanted to slap him across the face, yell at him for coming to my house and give him a piece of my mind for how badly he’d treated me. Instead, I stood as if cement had been poured over me. My mouth was open, but no words escaped. The only things in motion were my eyes. They shifted in numerous directions as I scanned Demetrious’ tall frame that was formed with tight muscles. His light brown eyes always did something to me, and when he smiled, his dimples were in full effect. His mocha chocolate skin appeared soft to the touch, and his long dreads were in a ponytail, exposing his chiseled, handsome face. I melted right before his eyes. But in an effort not to let my enthusiasm show, I straightened my spine, kept a mean mug on my face and didn’t dare form a smile.

What do you want? I questioned with snap in my voice.

He inched forward, but I held up my hand and placed it on his chest to halt his steps. What I want is you, Li’l Mama, he admitted. Only you. That’s why I’m here.

He removed my hand from his chest, and as he proceeded to bring my hand to his thick lips, I snatched it away.

Sorry. You can’t have me, so try again.

Demetrious’ smile became wider. He folded his arms across his chest while locking his eyes with mine.

"I don’t mind trying again, and as you already know, I’m a fighter. I don’t give up on who or what I want. If you think I’m going to let some handicapped fool have you, you are sadly mistaken."

I hated when Demetrious spoke that way about Nate. In no way was he handicapped; he had been injured while fighting in Afghanistan years ago. The left side of his foot had been crushed, and it caused him to walk with a limp. It was still painful for him at times, and he visited his doctor often to see if there was more he could do. I had no problem defending Nate, especially since Demetrious’ insults were disgraceful.

Nate is more man than you will ever be, Demetrious. That is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Now, if you don’t mind, either tell me why you’re really here or allow me to get back to doing me.

I apologize for insulting your little friend, but when it comes to being a real man, it doesn’t get any better than this. He widened his arms so I could see all that he’d hoped I had been missing. As for being here, I already told you why. I need you now, more than ever. Been going through some things and I need your advice. Your words always bring me comfort, so does seeing you. I also meant what I said about wanting to do us again. I hope it’s not too late. I guess it’s not, since you haven’t gotten married yet.

I fired back at his bullshit. Married or not, it’s too late. And I’m sorry that you’re going through something, but seek counseling, please. I hate to be this way, but we’ve been here before, Demetrious. These little games you play don’t work anymore. I can’t stress enough how much you’re wasting your time.

Then let me waste my time. Let me come in so we can just holla at each other. You don’t have to be so bitter about things. If anything, your bitterness proves that you still love me. Apparently, something is still there. If you want to discuss it, then speak up or forever hold your peace. Running from me and ignoring me won’t help you one bit. Get it all off your chest, tonight, and let’s try to put this problem between us to rest, once and for all.

In my heart, I still had so much I needed to say to Demetrious about our relationship. I wanted him to know how much he’d hurt me, but I’d never felt like the timing was right. I hesitated to let him come inside, but after he continued to push, I moved aside and let him enter. A smirk was on his face as he entered the living room area and looked around.

I see you haven’t made many changes to your crib.

He was referring to the modern style, gray and white furniture that adorned my living room area. The shiny, hardwood floors ran throughout the main level of my house, and my unique lighting fixtures from IKEA brightened up the place.

Everything is pretty much the same. I closed the door. With the exception of your pictures. Every last photo of you went into the trash.

Demetrious snickered as he pivoted to face me. He licked across his lips and dipped his hands into the pockets of his tan cargo shorts. The gray ribbed shirt he wore showed much definition in his broad chest and rested on his biceps that were covered with tats. He knew he was a twenty on a scale from one-to-ten, which was unfortunate because his good