Page 5 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Five

Rashad:

I sat on the side of the bed, thinking of last night’s events.

I couldn’t get Shiloh off my mind. Never in my thirty-three years of living had I felt the way I had with Shiloh.

I’d been sprung, as one would say, off someone in my younger days but nothing of this caliber.

She was beautiful, magnetic, educated, and most of all, funny.

Having sex with her only intensified the attraction.

At the start of last night, I chalked it up to the stress of all I had going on in life or maybe even the alcohol.

The fact I’d woken up with her on my mind the same way I’d fallen asleep… I knew neither to be true.

Life had recently taken a drastic turn at the fork in the road.

So much so, many thoughts consumed me. Lately, all I could do was be in my thoughts.

I was on the cruise for Kameron, but it was much needed for my mental.

It was nothing that could ever be thrown my way that I couldn’t handle; it was just the recent events had been a whirlwind.

“Yo?” I lifted my vibrating phone from the nightstand, answering my brother’s call.

It was only a little before nine in the morning, and he had already called me twice.

Kameron calling early wasn’t a problem since I typically woke early.

It was the number of times he’d already called.

He and the rest of his groomsmen were already at breakfast, and they were hounding me to come.

I got that I was on the cruise for his premarital gathering, but it didn’t change the fact I really wasn’t big on crowds.

Last night had already drained my battery.

“Yo, baby brother, where ya at?” His slurred words filled my room.

Kameron wasn’t a big drinker, but I knew he’d be tossing back any and everything handed to him for the next thirteen days. Kameron was marrying his long-time girlfriend, Selena. He and Selena had a good relationship, but good or not, marriage was a big step, so I could empathize with him.

“Need you out here, man. These boys getting me right,” he added before I heard loud cheering before Kameron slightly growled. I knew he had taken a shot or had a sip of a strong drink.

Sighing, I stretched. As much as I was a homebody and could chill in the room all day, I hadn’t come on the cruise for that.

“A’ight. Give me about thirty minutes. I’ll be down,” I said into the phone, but with all the commotion on the other end of the phone, I wasn’t sure if Kameron had heard me or not, so I hung up.

Like a kid not wanting to get out of bed for school in the morning, I sighed while kicking my legs before hopping from the bed. Wanting to or not, hanging out with my brother and them was the move.

I stepped from the shower, wrapping the thick towel around my waist, taking unrushed steps to the sink.

Swiping my hand across the mirror, I removed the built-up condensation from the steam just enough to see my reflection.

I was in no hurry to get down to the pool with my brother, but I knew I had to show up for him.

Being truthful, I’d much rather search the ship for Shiloh and spend the time with her.

I’d told myself I wouldn’t get involved with anyone after my last breakup until I was ready, but Shiloh had me falling at her feet.

I couldn’t pinpoint what it was about her.

What I knew was she was euphoric from her aura alone.

“Damn, man. I said I was coming.” I chuckled with a shake of the head at hearing my phone ring, knowing it was Kameron calling.

It had been more than the thirty minutes I’d told him, so I knew he was growing impatient.

While Shiloh had my attention, I was on the cruise for him, so I had to push her from my mind for a little while.

Pool Side

“Why you sitting over here by yourself?” I heard from beside me, causing me to look that way.

On the barstool beside me sat a fine ass female that looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties with light skin, cute eyes, and a thick body her two-piece bathing suit did little to hide. She never lost the smile.

My eyes roamed her. She was fine, but she seemed to try too hard.

“Who says I’m by myself?”

“I do.” She never lost the smile. “I’ve had my eyes on you since you stepped out on the deck, and I haven’t seen you with anyone, except that group of guys you don’t seem to pair with.”

Her eyes raised, and I instinctively followed her gaze to where Kameron and his groomsmen were having the time of their lives.

I chuckled. “Stalking me, eh?”

The light-skinned cutie nervously giggled. “No. But I make it my business to shoot my shot when I see a fine ass nigga.”

I already wasn’t interested, but hearing her call me a nigga put what little point she may have had if I was keeping points into the negative.

I was a black man, an educated one at that, so saying or hearing the word nigga regarding a black man instantly pissed me off.

There were plenty of other words in the English language that could have been used to describe a black man other than nigga.

“That right?”

She sexily licked her lips while crossing and uncrossing her legs. This time, her pedicured foot brushed my leg.

“Tori.” She extended her hand my way.

My eyes fell to her hand before I raised mine, taking hers into mine. “Rashad.”

Tori smiled, parting her lips to speak.

“Hey, baby. There you go. I was looking all over for you.”

Tori hadn’t spoken, though. That voice was one I couldn’t forget.

So much for pushing Shiloh out of my mind, I thought.

Shiloh stood next to me in her two-piece bathing suit with a netted cover up tossed over it, Birkenstock sandals, and oversized shades that covered half her face. It was nothing special, yet she looked more beautiful than she was last night.

“I got you a drink.” Shiloh smiled, her head tilting a bit. She handed me a beer.

Matching her smile, I took the drink.

“Thank you, baby.” I reached over, grasping her by her waist, pulling her body toward me.

“Oh, hey.” She looked to Tori. “Shiloh, Rashad’s girlfriend.” Her tone was territorial yet calm.

Tori lost the stupid grin she had, sliding from the bar. “Y’all have a good day.”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, stomping away like a child. Shiloh and I laughed at her antics, watching her.

“Good afternoon.” Shiloh stepped from my grasp.

“Girlfriend, huh?” I chuckled. “Jealous?”

With a slight roll of the eyes, Shiloh kissed her teeth. “Not even.”

I smirked. “So, what was it?”

With no words, Shiloh stepped up on the barstool, sitting next to me. “You said we have thirteen days, right?”

“I did…”

A sinister smile curved her sexy, full lips. “For the next thirteen days, you’re my man, and I’m your lady.”

I didn’t need the explanation. I just wanted to be sure. Shiloh elaborated before I could speak.

“My eyes are only for you, and yours for me?” Her statement was posed like a question.

Nodding, I lifted the drink she’d given me, taking a sip. I didn’t speak.

“We move like a couple” Her almond-shaped eyes took on a lustful gloss. “With that, you can fuck and handle me however you see fit.” Her small hand found my leg, stroking it lightly. “I’m all yours. No real strings attached… Just you and I with an understanding.”

The smile I felt tugging my lips didn’t curve my mouth, but I was positive my eyes reflected my approval.

“Cool,” I replied nonchalantly.

I kept it cool, and while I wasn’t pressed, being able to have Shiloh for the duration of the trip didn’t seem like a bad idea. After all, it was only sex.

“Cheers to the next thirteen days of fun,” Shiloh declared, raising her glass my way after silence.

“To thirteen days,” I concurred, raising my glass.

Clink

Our glasses touched, solidifying our agreement.