Special thanks to my cousin for her input for this chapter! And a special thank you for the reviews! Please, please please continue to review, trust me, I need it!

~*~Chapter Eight*~*

Cristian peddled as quickly as he could on his bike, gathering enough wind to cut through the thick and muggy summer air. It had been four long days since he had seen Raynah but he couldn't seem to take the smell of her hair out of his nostrils or the feel of her skin off of his hands. He saw her from a distance standing in front of the entrance of the park and he smiled to himself. He never felt so content with someone like he did when he was with Raynah. It was a cloudy day but Raynah's brown skin seemed to radiate from what little bit of sunlight there was. Cristian got off of his bicycle and took out a handkerchief from his pockets and began to feverishly wipe off the sweat from his face and cursed himself for not being more presentable. He pushed his way through the crowds towards where Raynah was standing and smiled at her when they finally made eye contact. Raynah smiled back and suddenly turned and walked down the crowded street, discreetly motioning for him to follow her. Cristian stayed a safe distance behind as she led the way around avenues and corners that Cristian wasn't quite familiar with. Raynah crossed a street and Cristian cautiously watched as she approached an abandoned building. She walked down the side and unlocked a door. Raynah waved Cristian over and he waited a few minutes, looking to make sure that no one was around before he slowly opened the door. The entrance was dark and he couldn't see a thing in front of him.

"Raynah?" he whispered loudly.

"What took you so long?" said Raynah as she threw her arms around his broad shoulders and greeted him with a kiss. Cristian buried his face in her neck and breathed her in deeply. Her feminine scent delighted his senses.

"That tickles," Said Raynah as she tried to stifle a giggle, "Come on." She said, grabbing his hand and leading him up a windy staircase.

"Where are we going?" Asked Cristian.

"You'll see!" They ran up fifteen flights before Raynah pushed open another door, which led to the roof with Cristian stumbling behind.

Cristian bent down and attempted to catch his breath.

"Aw, grandpa, it's okay. You made it!" said Raynah, "Looks are deceiving, huh?" teased Raynah, poking his ribs.

Cristian stood up straight, pretending to regain his composure. "You just caught me off guard, that's all."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I smoked you."

"I demand a rematch," said Cristian as he walked around, "This view is spectacular." He looked over the edge at all the people below.

"Do you like it?" asked Raynah, coming behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I love it. How did you find this place?" he asked. She pulled him over to the other side.

"You see that building over there? With the gold top?" Cristian nodded.

"Okay, well that's where my father works, Gordon Enterprises." She looked up at him and cleared her throat. "He's an um…He is one of the uh, partners in the company."

"Oh." He paused, "But how did you find this place?"

"This is where the company used to be up until about seven years ago, when it really took off. My father bought this property from the company and is planning on turning it into apartments or something." she replied, her voice trailing off.

Cristian looked down at Raynah and saw the discomfort written all over her face. She pushed her short hair behind her ear and rubbed her arms absently.

"Hey," said Cristian, pushing her hair out of her face, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, it's just that I don't want you to think th-that I'm trying to show off or anything. I don't know, I thought that this would be a nice place to spend the day, I just don't want you to think that I-"

"Raynah, I don't care about this stuff. Your father has clearly worked hard and he deserves everything he has. I mean, look at us. I think that that is a much bigger deal than how much money your family has but neither of those things worry me or make me think any different of you." He smiled sincerely at her and softly kissed her lips.

Raynah pulled away from him looked into his green eyes and searched them intently.

"Cristian, I really love spending time with you," she began, "I do, but do you ever think that maybe we're in a little bit over our heads?"

"What do you mean?"

Raynah cleared her throat. "Well, you know, do you ever think that maybe what we're doing is a little crazy?" she asked, nervously waiting for his reply.

"Is this a trick question?" he asked.

Raynah shook her head no.

"So, then, where is this all coming from?"

"It's coming from the fact that you're white and I'm black, in case you haven't noticed."

Cristian gasped. "Oh no. Now why did you have to go on telling me that?"

Raynah folded her arms, "I'm being serious here. You mean to tell me that you haven't even thought about any of this, at all?"

Cristian nodded, "Of course I have and I think that you're right. This is crazy, stupid even." He replied matter of factly, shrugging his shoulders. Raynah looked away from him and crossed her arms.

"Raynah, come on. What the hell do we think we are, invincible? You and I, we both know the risks if anyone were to find us out and the stakes are pretty high. To most people it would be rational to just walk away now before things got too hard."

Raynah turned and frowned at him, putting her hands on her hips. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm agreeing with you, isn't that what you wanted to hear?"

"Well, no. Not really-" Raynah began.

Cristian smiled at her and gently touched her arms, beckoning her to release them. "Kidding!" He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead.

"I can't be rational and I can't be smart. Not when it comes to you. I'll take the risks and I'll be crazy and stupid." He said softly, "I can't just go back to my life and forget about you."

She breathed and shook her head. "Me neither." Raynah replied, resting her head on his chest.

"And, yes, I do think that we are invincible because I don't scare easily. So that means that you're stuck with me."

Raynah groaned and rolled her eyes.

"I know, baby. I'm not too happy about it either." Said Cristian as he rubbed her back.

"I really thought that this would do the trick, you know? Bringing you here."

"Sorry, sweetheart. You're going to have to do a lot better than showing me a couple of buildings and trying to get me to notice this sexy skin color of yours." He nipped her ear with his lips, "It only makes me want you more."

"A man who loves a challenge," said Raynah, tilting her head to the side, "I guess I have my work cut out for me."

"Yeah," Cristian nodded, "so promise me this," he said, cupping her face so that he could look into her eyes. "No more talk about this. No more worries or stress, there's always going to be time for that. I intend to see this through, you and me and there's nothing that you or anyone else can do about it."

"I don't want to do anything about it." Said Raynah, genuinely.

"Good. So come on, this was an awesome idea," he gestured, "Let's go sit down." They walked over to where Raynah had dropped her bag and took out her comforter.

"Help me spread this out." She said. As they got settled, Raynah took out water, grapes and cookies.

"Um, I'm sure that you're hiding a steak in there," said Cristian as he looked through her bag. Raynah slapped his hand away and laughed, "I just took whatever I could find in the kitchen."

"No wonder you're so small, they aren't feeding you in the big house, are they?" joked Cristian.

"I'm sorry that it doesn't compare to the gourmet meal that you brought that last time." Raynah responded.

"No worries, that was pretty hard to beat. I'll be taking care of the food from now on. Why are you so far away? Come closer to me." She scooted over closer and Cristian took some of the grapes from her lap.

"Oh that's why you wanted me closer." She teased.

"Yeah, what did you think?" he asked as he threw a few grapes in his mouth and tried to catch it with his mouth. He threw up another one, but Raynah blocked it with her hand.

"Oh no, you've been asking for this." Cristian got on top of her and began to tickle her relentlessly. Raynah shrieked and laughed uncontrollably. She squirmed underneath him, trying to break free.

"Do you want me to stop?" Cristian asked. Raynah was laughing so hard that she couldn't even breathe. She nodded her head and tried to answer him.

"I'm sorry I didn't get that, sweetheart. I guess that's a no." Tears began to form in her eyes, but she couldn't stop laughing.

"Alright, alright." Said Cristian. Raynah wiped the tears from her eyes and pushed him playfully against his hard and defined chest. Cristian lay down next to her and propped he head up with his left hand.

Raynah rubbed her cheeks fiercely. "My face hurts." She said breathlessly. Cristian turned her face him and kissed her. He wanted to savor her taste, memorize every flick of her tongue and move of her lips. They separated and Cristian laid his head down on his arm, pulling Raynah closer to him. He closed his eyes and brushed his lips against her hair.

"Beautiful," He whispered nearly inaudibly. He looked down into her big dark eyes. "You are perfect, you know that right?"

Raynah nodded and sighed, "Yup, I know."

"Way to ruin the moment, you jerk." Said Cristian, chuckling.

Raynah stared up at the cloudy sky.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

Raynah smiled. "When Sophie and I were kids we would sneak up here all the time. We would do all kinds of things, put on plays, and make up songs. God, it was so long ago. It was the only place that we could really call our own, you know. We were able to just be kids."

"Your parents ever catch you?"

Raynah shook her head and smiled, "Never, thank God. We got a lot better at sneaking around as we got older."

"I'm sure the boys loved that." said Cristian.

"What boys?" Raynah asked coyly.

"Oh come on, don't be shy. I'm not the first guy who's ever wanted you and I most definitely won't be the last."

"Well, I've had a lot of suitors, a few kisses here and there but nothing serious."

"Mm-hmm. Right, Raynah."

She giggled and pushed him. "I mean it! I can't believe that you don't believe me!"

"It's just that I know your type, that's all."

"My type? Oh really, and what is my type?"

Cristian shrugged.

"No tell me, please grace me with your infinite wisdom, Cris."

He smiled slyly. "You know, beautiful, smart, polite and reserved." He got close to her ear and the heat from his breath caused Raynah's eyes to flurry shut. Cristian's right hand traced down her spine until it reached her backside, where he gave it a gentle but firm squeeze. "But in reality, you are just dying to be touched and kissed and licked," he said, his deep husky voice had Raynah's mind racing. Cristian's rough hand ran up her bare thigh and underneath her skirt until he reached her. Raynah's breathing became shallow as his thumb gently rubbed her through her panties and his lips sucked on her earlobe. He moved down her neck and he could feel her excitement on his fingers. Raynah moaned and moved her hips slowly to his movements.

"But you're not that type of girl are you?" he asked, slowly removing his hand from underneath her dress, and abruptly sitting up.

"What are you doing-what do you mean? Come here." Asked Raynah while she tried to pull Cristian closer.

He smiled broadly, "Are you going to admit that I'm right?"

Raynah regrouped and crossed her arms, "Never." She said.

Cristian wrapped his sturdy arms around her in a bear hug and squeezed her tightly. "Come on, princess, no need to get all pissy."

"I hate you." She said.

"You don't mean that."

"Yes I do, so get off of me." She replied, trying to wriggle free.

"Feisty little thing, aren't you? You just don't learn do you?" he said as he began to tickle her again.

"Okay, OKAY! You're right!" she managed to say in between laughs.

"What was that, baby?" Cristian asked, still continuing his assault.

"YOU WIN!" Raynah exclaimed.

He grinned at her and nuzzled her neck.

"So what about you?" she asked.

"What about me?"

"Cristian, I know for a fact that I am not your first girlfriend." He liked the way the word sounded coming from her lips. He propped himself up again and stroked her back.

"No, you aren't."

"So tell me about them. Or are there just too many?" Mocked Raynah.

"What makes you think that there were so many?" Cristian asked, pretending to be offended.

"You do know that I can see you, right? I hate to admit this but you're gorgeous and as I recall, the first night that you took me out a certain waitress named Marissa, I believe, couldn't keep her eyes off of you and if she had the chance, I doubt that she would have been able to keep her hands off either."

"Her name was Melissa and as I recall, I couldn't keep my eyes or hands off of you." He replied, playfully flicking Raynah's nose.

"Alright, alright. Tell me about them."

"In my 23 years, I have had my fair share of girls, but there are only two before you in recent memory that I actually developed feelings for." Raynah remained quiet, a signal for him to continue. "One girl was named Susan. I was sixteen when we met in school and I was just completely smitten by her. She seemed to really have it all, you know? Looks, personality all that good shit. My mother didn't care much for her but she didn't exactly try to stop me from seeing her either. Long story short, she cheated on me."

"Ouch, I'm sorry." Said Raynah sympathetically.

"Oh please, we were kids. Lisa, the other girl, was the one who I thought I was going to marry. She was way more beautiful than Susan but she also had the confidence and personality. She was charming and funny, I mean she really seemed to have it all."

"She sounds amazing." Raynah commented.

"I thought she was. Once again, my mother didn't like her and once again, I didn't care. Even when my best friend, Lucas grew suspicious of her, I completely turned a blind eye. Come to find out that she was cheating on me the whole time we were together with almost all my friends and even a cousin or two."

"Oh no. How awful. I'm sure she's regretting it now."

"You live, you learn. What happened still kind of stings but it isn't like I still have feelings for either of them." Cristian said as he brushed his thumb against her bottom lip.

Raynah smiled, "I wasn't worried."

"Excuse me," said Cristian, laughing, "Well, now it's your turn. You never to tell me about the men in your past."

"That's because you distracted me. I can't say that my past has been as eventful as yours has. I mean I have had many potentials but no one ever stuck. I knew that their main purpose for pursuing me was because of my father and that completely turned me off. They all have the same look in their eyes that I can't really describe. I guess, in a way, it's made me pretty apprehensive and guarded when it comes to things like that."

"You always wonder, in the back of your head, if it's all for you or is it all because of what you can offer." Said Cristian.

Raynah looked up at him and nodded."Exactly. That's exactly how I felt."

"That's completely understandable. Makes it hard to trust, to believe in words when you know deep down that its all for a purpose that reaches beyond just you." Cristian said, thoughtfully. "You don't have to worry about that with me."

He made her weak. "I know I don't." She leaned over and pecked him on the lips.

"For some people the family connection thing works, like for Sophie." Said Raynah. "Her father and her fiancée's father are associates and that's how they met. They fell deeply in love with each other and now they are getting married in September. What my parents don't understand is that Sophie and Jamal were literally made for one another. I don't have a single doubt in my mind about that. When I get married, that's how I want it to be. I want to be with someone who was made for me, not my parents."

"It has an impact on how the children view relationships and love. My mother and father were crazy about each other, I could see that from when I was really young." Cristian said, his eyes slowly beginning to reflect his pain. He quickly recovered before Raynah noticed.

"What about your parents?" he asked.

"I like to think that mine love one another but I so rarely see them together at home. It's hard to keep that image in mind when there's so little evidence of it." Raynah said as she traced her fingers on Cristian's chest.

"So are they throwing anyone at you now?"

"Oh, God." Raynah winced. "His name is Jacob Bridges. I only met him a month ago."

"A month ago." Cristian frowned slightly, "The very first night that I saw you at Morgan's, you were with a really pretty girl, who I am assuming is Sophie, right?"

"Yes."

"And that man, was that Jacob?"

"Oh my goodness. I'd completely forgotten that he was even there that night! Yeah, that was Jacob. Ugh, Cristian. He is the perfect example of what I was saying before. The first time I met him was that night. He and Jamal work together at this law firm and Jamal thought that it would be a good idea if we met. I didn't think that there was anything wrong with him at first, I mean he's really good-looking but I wasn't really interested and I think you know why."

"No actually, I don't." he teased.

Raynah rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Anyway, after that fateful meeting, he has continued to come around and pretty much been a nuisance."

"Can you blame him? A man's gotta try."

"I wish that he would just stop trying though." Raynah replied.

"Well do you think that maybe you've given him a reason to think that he has a chance?" asked Cristian.

Raynah scrunched her face. "Oh God no! If anything, I've done the complete opposite. I have told him on several occasions that I am simply not interested but I think that he's been interpreting this as me playing hard to get. Unfortunately, my parents have completely fallen head over for him."

"He sounds like an ass." Said Cristian defensively, "He hasn't tried anything has he?"

"No, nothing like that." Raynah answered.

"Because if he ever steps out of line all you have to do is let me know and I'll handle it."

"Baby, there's really no need. I'm used to his kind they come and go, it's really nothing to fret about."

An unsatisfied Cristian replied, "You just let me know, Raynah. I mean it."

Raynah reached up and pecked his chin. "I will." She replied, putting his mind at ease. They lay there in each other's arms until sleep overtook them both. Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder woke them up and a few raindrops began to fall.

"I guess we have to go." Cristian said. A sleepy Raynah simply nodded and they got up and began to put gather their things. It was almost as if the clouds opened up and released buckets of rain onto the earth.

"Oh no!" cried Raynah as she anxiously tried to put her blanket away. She looked over at Cristian, who was staring at her, his green eyes shooting right into hers. He didn't know what exactly had him frozen in that spot; maybe it was the way her thin dress was sticking to the curves of her body. Or maybe it was how adorable she looked when she became frantic.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," he said smiling, extending his hand towards her, "Come here."

She walked towards him and took his hand. "It's raining, we have to go." Cristian grabbed her face and kissed her passionately.

"Let's dance." He said, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.

"Now? It's pouring! What if we get electrocuted?" she said.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you. Just dance with me." She draped her arms around his broad shoulders and swayed to whatever song was in Cristian's head. The rain suddenly didn't bother Raynah as much because all she could feel was him. His scent seemed to get stronger and it surrounded her.

Raynah looked up at him. His long lashes cradled his piercing green eyes and his tanned skin illuminated them even more. "You really are perfect, you know that?" she said, trying to deepen her voice to match his baritone sound.

"Yup, I know." He replied, mimicking her real voice and batting his lashes. She threw her head back in laughter and to him she couldn't have looked more beautiful. Her hair was sticking to her face and blocking his view. Emotions were swimming through his veins, familiar yet different all the same. Cristian pushed her hair out of her face and opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself short.

Cristian knew. That was the moment that he fell in love.

Jamal sat alone in his dark apartment drowning his sorrows, the gravity of his current situation resting heavy on his heart. Jamal stared up the ceiling, replaying the scene over and over in his mind, regretting the day that he ever accepted Gary Collin's business. That is what he had been doing every night since his meeting with Gary two weeks before. He had been avoiding Sophie, his love, because he simply couldn't face her. One look at him and she would figure it out, almost as if she were in the room with him on that horrible day. The truth was that he already knew what he was going to do, he knew the moment that he heard it come out of Gary's mouth. What other choice did he have? He couldn't possibly live with the alternative, which would mean a life without Sophie. He shut his eyes tightly, his fingers boring into his brain. How could expect her to stand by his side after all of the lies that he would be forced to tell?

Jamal leaned backwards in his chair staring at the ceiling. Sophie's hold on him was evident from the start of their relationship. Jamal had been apprehensive about the idea of settling down, mainly because of his perceived failure of his parents' marriage. His father was relentless when it came to his infidelities; God only knew how many illegitimate children he had running around. He watched his mother live much like the other women in their circle, empty and unhappy yet managing to maintain appearances. He was immediately attracted to Sophie's beauty, everything from the rich texture of her brown skin to the soft glow of her hazel green eyes. They had spent countless nights dreaming up their future, one much different from the past. Their union would be about love, honesty and commitment at the forefront. Their children would grow in that love and their house would be a warm home. He could only pray that she would understand that everything he did was for her. In Jamal's mind, she was worth all the risks; she was someone worth living for, worth sacrificing everything for.

Someone worth killing for.

"This is fucking crazy!" he shouted, staggering out of his chair. He turned and looked at his bottle.

"Guess I had a little more than I thought." Jamal muttered, walking towards his bathroom. He stared back at his reflection and he was barely recognizable. His normally clean-shaven face was scruffy, his eyes puffy and red, his hair in desperate need of a cut. Jamal splashed some water on his face when a loud knock came at his door. He rolled his eyes as he grabbed a towel, slightly stumbling towards the door.

"Alright, alright." Said Jamal, pulling the door open. His angry fiancée was glaring back at him. Sophie pushed past him and put her hands on her hips as he closed the door.

"I don't know who you think you are, Jamal King, but let me explain something to you. The next time you decide to disappear for two weeks, at least be man enough to give me an explanation."

Jamal sighed, "There's nothing to explain-"

"Nothing to explain? Are you kidding me right now? We are getting married in three months, did you know that?"

"Of course I know, baby," Jamal walked over to her and stretched out his arms, "Why don't you calm down."

"Don't touch me and do not tell me what to do. What is going on?" she asked.

Jamal rubbed his eyes. "I'm just really busy with work, that's all."

Sophie came closer to his face and sniffed, narrowing her eyes. "You've been drinking, haven't you? You never drink, Jamal, not unless something bad has happened now tell me what the hell is going on!"

Jamal was finding it extremely difficult to look her in the eye.

"Is it someone else? Are you having second thoughts about marrying me? Is that why I haven't seen you?" She put her hands up to her lips in horror, "Oh, my God. I'm right aren't I? Who is she, Jamal?"

Jamal grabbed her shoulders, trying to calm her down. "Sophie, what are you talking about? I love you; you know that I'm crazy about you. There could never be anyone else."

"Then tell me the truth because I can't stand feeling like this. Whatever it is, you can tell me." She said softly. Jamal looked down at her and saw the worry etched all over her face.

"I am exhausted from this case. It is consuming me. I'm sorry that I haven't been around, I am. If you thought for one second that it was because I didn't want to marry you, you're wrong."

Sophie pursed her lips and then threw her arms up in defeat. "Alright, I won't push you. I'm going to let you lie to me this one time but the next time I ask you about it, you had better be ready with the truth."

Jamal pressed his lips onto her forehead and closed his eyes. His arms came around her as he found a place to rest his head on her shoulder. Jamal knew that he wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer. He never wanted to let her go.

"I'm so sorry, Sophie." He said.

"It's okay, I understand."

'Only you don't,' he thought. 'You couldn't even begin to imagine.'

"I have an idea, why we get you all cleaned up and rested. Tomorrow I have some things to work on for the wedding with Raynah and you can sleep in. Afterwards, you and I can have a quiet dinner and see where the rest of the night takes us." Said Sophie, beaming up at Jamal.

"That sounds amazing." Later, after they had made love, Jamal lay awake with Sophie sleeping soundly in his arms. He watched her, his need to protect her pumping inside of him. He would be damned if some lowlife thugs stole the only thing that has ever mattered to him in this world.

He was going to do what he had to do.

~*~End of Chapter