How Deep Is Your Love 3 Read online

  “Baby girl!” Charm stopped in her tracks. Her heart thumped in her chest as she turned around. Denzel was standing down the block, as if he was waiting in front of the courthouse, but had started pacing. Seeing him and knowing she wasn’t cuffed and able to touch him sent a sparkling feeling through her.

  “Denzel!” She called out. But he was already running towards her. She knocked herself from her stupor and ran to meet him halfway. When he opened his arms, Charm lunged herself at him. He caught her and twirled her around, before stopping and holding her tight.

  “Damn, baby girl, I missed you so much,” he spoke into her hair. He kissed her cheek and her neck.

  “I know I smell horrible,” she pouted.

  “I don’t care,” he breathed. “I’ve wanted to hold you like this ever since they took you from me.” He pulled away from her to try and kiss her, but Charm moved her face away.

  “The toothpaste in there is horrible. I just wanna freshen up before even thinking about kissing you.” Denzel loosened his hold on her and just took his time looking into her twinkling eyes.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. Charm blushed, looking down at the ground. He picked her head up by her chin then kissed her forehead.

  “Come, let me take you to my place.” He paused. “Unless you want to go home, or to Terrell.” Charm saw a look on Denzel’s face that she hadn’t seen before. But she didn’t confront it. She just wanted to go home with him.

  “Why would I want to go to Terrell? Unless you want me to go to him and that’s your way of suggesting it.”

  “No, of course not, baby.”

  “So then, I wanna go with you,” she shrugged. Denzel smiled at her and took her hand. They walked slowly to where his car was parked at the curb.

  “Where’s Brianna and Jason?” Charm asked, when they got into his car.

  “I sent them back to my loft. Brianna should have dinner waiting for us when we get back.”

  “Oh, thank goodness. I’m starved.” She noticed that he was wearing the same clothes he had on at the arraignment.

  “Wait, you’re wearing the same thing as earlier. You mean to tell me you haven’t been home since them?”

  “You know I was going to wait out here for you. James told me it would take at least 4 hours, and then, after 5pm, the courthouse kicked me out, so I just waited out here. I wanted to make sure I was here the moment you were out. There was no way I was leaving.” Charm rubbed his arm.

  “You’re such an amazing man,” she said, dreamily. Denzel wanted to agree with her, but he wasn’t even the one that was capable of getting her out of jail. It was her ex that done that.

  “Eh,” he shrugged.

  While he drove back to his loft, they never let go of each other’s hands. It was quiet in the car, but having her close, and being able to touch her, was what Denzel needed.

  Chapter Six

  Brianna couldn’t stop giggling as she hung up the phone. Dinner was cooked, and now she and Jason were waiting for Denzel and Charm to arrive. And like he said he would, James had called her. She didn’t know whether she could even give him the chance and pick up, but Jason had basically answered the phone for her and shoved it to her ear. Even though she was iffy about it at first, she was happy she did talk with him. He was unlike any lawyer she’d even spoken to and he didn’t quite fit the mold of a lawyer. Brianna was never too much into relationships, but there was one thing about James that made him stand out from all the men that she had tried to have relationships with. James made her laugh. Genuine laugh. The kind of laugh that made your eyes water and your stomach turn into knots. Brianna hadn’t expected that of him.

  “So?” Jason asked, sliding next to her on the couch. He’d stayed away for most of the conversation, but now he wanted to get the juicy details.

  “Got the case of the giggles?” Jason teased her. Brianna sucked her teeth and smiled.

  “Shut up,” she giggled.

  “You should have invited him to dinner,” Jason said. “I’m sure he could use a meal.”

  “Well, I thought it would just be us and Charm.”

  “True, but James is no stranger. Plus, he helped her out big time today. I’m sure Charm wouldn’t mind.”

  “We talking like we not in Denzel’s house. I can’t just invite people up in here without asking him.”

  “With Charm free, I doubt Denzel is going to be thinking too hard about anything else. All he’s gonna wanna do is focus on Charm. Invite that man over and stop making excuses.” Brianna sighed.

  “Is he a good guy?” She asked Jason. “You went to school with him. Should I give him a real shot?”

  “If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t have let you answer the phone in the first place. But don’t be asking me if you should give him a shot. Ask yourself. And I mean, you over here giggling and shit. I thought you was a thug. Didn’t know men made you giggle.” Brianna hit him with a couch pillow as she laughed.

  “Asshole,” she smiled.

  “But I’ll tell you this,” he said taking the pillow from her. “Don’t give him the cookie too easy. James loves the chase, and he loves a feisty woman. And once you do finally give it up, I know you won’t regret it.”

  “How in the hell do you know that?” Brianna asked.

  “One time, he had this small get together in his dorm room. Charm, Terrell, and me, and some chick he was talking to, was there. Everyone was kissing and doing all that kind of shit. It was late and we were all drunk. Since everyone was making out, and I didn’t have no one, I slumped into James’ room, and I fell over on the floor and that’s where I was gonna sleep. I didn’t have the energy to get up. Sometime later, he comes into the bedroom with his chick. They fall on the bed, and I didn’t even notice they came into the room, until she starts moaning her fucking head off. When I shook all the cobwebs out my damn head, I saw the bed rocking back and forth like it was in the middle of the ocean, and the chick was hollering so loud, I thought James was killing her. My dumb ass actually got up to look and he had her twisted like a pretzel and dogging her like Rico Strong. I was traumatized, but then I learned that James got one hell of a stallion in his pants.” Brianna gasped, and covered her mouth, before she fell out laughing.

  “Please don’t tell him I told you that either. I don’t think he even remembers, because he hasn’t mentioned it. But drunk or not, I remember that shit well.”

  “I won’t say a word,” Brianna promised.

  “Invite him to dinner,” Jason said, before he got up and left the living room. Brianna looked at his number in her cell phone for a while, before she finally just pressed the dial button.

  “Damn, Brianna, couldn’t get enough?” He said, smoothly, when he picked up the phone.

  “Don’t flatter yourself, playboy,” she retorted.

  “Playboy?” He gasped. “I wish I got that much ass.” Again, Brianna found herself not being able to hold in her laughter.

  “You mean to tell me, the chicks don’t dig the high profile lawyer?”

  “Apparently not! But no worries. I met the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen earlier today.”

  “Oh hush,” Brianna giggled.

  “So, what’s up, baby?”

  “Did you eat?” She asked.

  “I haven’t actually.”

  “I made dinner for Charm’s return. She’s not here yet, but I figured I’d invite you to join us. After all, you were a big part of helping out today.” He went quiet, as if he was thinking.

  “I don’t know if Charm wants me crashing her coming home dinner,” he said, finally.

  “And if you knew anything about Charm, you’d know she wouldn’t feel like that. Not about you.” James had to admit, Brianna had a point. Every human being had their faults, but for the life of him, he didn’t think Charm had an evil bone in her body.

  “I just know she will want to spend time with Denzel-”

  “As long as she’s with Denzel, she could care less about anything e
lse. So just come. I won’t ask you again.” James laughed at her firm tone.

  “Fine. Text me the address. You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think that it was you who was the lawyer and not me.”

  “Let’s just say I can be very persuasive. Now get your butt over here.”

  “I’m coming,” He laughed. Brianna smiled as she hung up the phone. Damn, she hadn’t cheesed this bad since high school. She sure had it bad.

  ********

  Charm was greeted by the warm smell of food when Denzel opened his front door and let her walk in first. She didn’t even get a chance to take a deep breath, before she was rushed by Jason. He pulled her in for a tight hug. Charm pulled back the urge to cry, as they hugged tightly.

  “Come on, get a grip,” She teased Jason. “I only been locked up for one damn night.” Jason let her go.

  “That doesn’t mean this shit isn’t horrible.”

  “Move, let me get in there,” Brianna said, pushing Jason. It was her turn to hug Charm tightly.

  “Alright, let her get comfortable,” Denzel said, prying Brianna off of Charm.

  “You just want her to yourself,” Brianna teased him.

  “Maybe I do,” Denzel smiled. Charm walked further into the loft, but before Denzel could follow her, Brianna pulled at his arm.

  “What’s up?” He asked.

  “I invite James to dinner,” she said. Even though she and Denzel never hid anything from each other, in that moment, Brianna couldn’t look him in the face. But Denzel saw right through her. He picked her head up and gazed at her. He didn’t look upset that she invited someone to his home and hadn’t asked him first.

  “You like him, don’t you?” He asked. Brianna opened her mouth to deny it, but he raised a brow.

  “There’s an attraction,” she admitted. “And he seems pretty nice.”

  “I already know he feels some type of way about you,” Denzel said. “And I warned him not to fuck with you. But if he comes up in here acting like his dickhead of a friend, I forbid you to date him.” Brianna leaned back and looked him up and down.

  “Forbid me?” She asked, raising her brow.

  “Yeah, that’s what I said.” He plucked her on the nose before walking away.

  “Damn, this food smells good,” Charm was saying.

  “Then let’s eat,” Jason tried to coax her into the kitchen, but she shook her head.

  “Nah, I need to shower and change into my own clothes.” She looked down at the sweatpants she was wearing. She still smelled like her cell and wanted nothing but to smell like she was actually home.

  “Okay, go on. We’ll set everything up.” Charm looked over at Denzel.

  “Come with me?” She asked. Denzel needed to change his clothes as well, since he’d been in the same thing all damn day. So he took her hand and walked with her to his bedroom. Inside, he watched her undress slowly. She seemed to be in her own world, so Denzel kept quiet. But he did keep a close eye on her. She got completely naked, then searched the one draw she had in his room to pick out something to wear. Then she went to the closet and pulled down a towel. He thought she was ready to hit the shower after that, but instead, she went back to his dresser and looked at herself in the mirror. She touched the bags under her eyes.

  “You’re still gorgeous,” Denzel commented. She looked at him with a weak smile.

  “You have to say that,” She said. “If you wanna keep fucking me.” He knew she was only teasing him, but this whole ordeal revealed something more about their relationship.

  “Well there’s much more I wanna do with you,” he replied. He saw her hesitate to respond. But then she smiled again.

  “There’s not much you can do with a convict,” she said.

  “Don’t joke about that,” he said, his tone serious. “It’s not funny.” She sighed and slumped her shoulders. Truthfully, she was trying to make light of the situation, because if she didn’t, she would be sobbing all night. But not knowing what to say to him, she simply just took the towel and left the room to head to the bathroom. Before she got in the shower, she brushed her teeth and washed her face with her aloe and green tea scrub. After that, at least her face felt fresh and new. But still, Denzel hadn’t come into the bathroom.

  Even though she had walked away from him, she still didn’t want to be alone in the shower. Something about being alone with what she went through just hours ago, didn’t sit well with her. She just wanted skin to skin touch. Or maybe she just wanted to be in Denzel’s arms. She figured he was leaving her alone when he didn’t follow her into the bathroom. But as she turned to the bathroom door, she was stopped by him coming into the bathroom. Charm quickly move out of the way before the door hit her in the face.

  “You still want the company, right?” He questioned, when he saw the look on her face.

  “Yeah, yeah, I do.” He was stripped down to his boxer briefs. Maybe that’s why he took a minute to come into the bathroom. But Charm was happy at the fact that he could read her, and knew what she ultimately wanted.

  He went to the shower and turned on the water, setting at the perfect temperature. Once it was set, he took the towel from around her body and hung it on the towel rack. The way his eyes raked along her body, gave her chills. It was a sexual look, but then again, it wasn’t. She could see his lust and his want for her, but it wasn’t a pressing matter. He wasn’t asking for her body in that moment, but it was like he was letting her know he was still very attracted to her. No matter what the situation was, Denzel always look at her like that.

  “Come on,” he said, patting her on the butt lightly. She snapped out of her daze and went towards the shower. Stepping inside, she sighed loudly when the warm water hit her skin. She immediately put her head under the spray of water. She wanted every part of her wiped of that damn prison smell. After her hair was soaking wet, she peaked out of the shower. Denzel was in front of the sink brushing his teeth. It felt so damn normal. Her in the shower, him at the sink, them sharing the bathroom. It felt as if they’d been doing it for years, when they hadn’t at all.

  He leaned over the sink and rinsed out his mouth before gargling mouthwash. Charm watched him until he was finished. He wrapped his locks into a loose bun on top of his head before looking close in the mirror, to see if his beard needed a shape up. Which it didn’t. He was just perfect. When he finally turned towards the shower, it was to see Charm looking out at him.

  “I’m coming, baby girl,” he said. “Don’t worry.” Charm nodded, and stepped to the side, as he pulled off his underwear then joined her in the shower. She let him wet his body, while she took the time to admire his naked body. She ran her hands across his back and over his tight butt. Knowing he would jump, she laughed when he did. He put her in front of him.

  “Leave my ass alone,” He smiled. He took her wash cloth from her and lathered it up with her soap that she’s brought to his place once she began staying for a period of time. With the washcloth lathered, he began running it over her skin, washing her. All Charm had to do was stand there and let him work.

  “Raise your leg,” he ordered. She picked her leg up so he could clean her properly. Then he was pushing her under the spray to wash off the soap. She was surprised when he picked up the bottle of conditioner and squirted some in his hands.

  “Co wash, right? That’s what you called it when you told me about your hair routine?”

  “Wow, you were actually listening?!” He sucked his teeth and smiled at her.

  “Very funny.” She gave him her back so he could lather the conditioner in her hair. She was natural in the sense of no chemicals, but she still got her hair straightened, whether it be by flat iron or blow dryer. She hadn’t had a trim since the spa day with Brianna and she was yearning to get it cut to her neck length again.

  After lathering her hair, she turned back around to wash it out. Once she was done, it was her turn to wash him. She washed him as dutifully as he washed her, but while he was washing the soap off hi
s body, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his chest. He said nothing, as she just held him, with the water cascading all over them. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. For a whole day, she was taken from him and could barely even touch him. What if that was only a taste of what was to come in her future? She was nowhere out of the fire yet. There was still going to be a trial, and that detective was out to get her, for reasons she couldn’t understand. What if she was locked away for years? Her freedom gone? And the newfound love she had was stripped away from her?

  Denzel knew Charm needed a lot of support for the future, and for what had happened to her. And though she joked about it, he knew she was seriously struggling with the reality of the situation. Her body shuddered in his arms. He thought she was getting chills from the water, but then a sob escaped her mouth and he felt her hot tears leak onto his chest.

  “No, no, no,” Denzel breathed, lifting her head so he could look at her. “Don’t cry,” he pleaded.

  “I just can’t lose my life to this,” she sobbed.

  “I won’t let that happen,” he said. He kissed her lips tentatively. “And I know it’s hard not to think about, but you’re here now. Here with me. And no one can take that away from us right now.” She sniffled and nodded. Denzel reached behind her to cut off the water. With it off, he stepped out first, wrapping his towel around his waist, then he dried her off with her towel. Instead of having her walk, her scooped her into his arms and carried her back to his bedroom. She laid her head against his chest. How could she not be falling in love with him? But then again, was he falling in love with her? Once she’d said it, he hadn’t reciprocated. What if she’d put too much pressure on him? When he put her down in the bedroom, she looked at him.

  “What’s the matter?” He asked, pulling off her towel. He sat her down on the bed so he could rub shea butter on her skin.