In Donovan's Arms: A Romance Novel by Courtney Michelle

viii

"Is everybody ready?" Nicki asked and they all nodded before making the 5-minute walk to the beach. Once they reached the sand, the ladies found a spot to lay out their towels and the small tables provided by the beach house. In the meantime, the men went over to the bar. They each took off their cover ups, revealing the bodies God gifted them with.

Terrance and Dontae looked over mumbling a 'damn' under their breaths prompting Donovan to look up from the menu then doubletake after seeing Xela. Her skin seemed to glow under the sun as she applied sunscreen to it then pulled her box braids into a ponytail. Her bikini showed off her curves and exposed her tattoos in places he would've never thought she had them.

He was sadly smacked back into reality when Dontae lightly tapped his arm, "You gonna order something bro?" He asked pointing to the man behind the counter with a writing pad. "Yeah, let me just get a mojito." He said before looking back to where Xela was.

Dontae noticed and nudged him a little, "Still giving her space?" He asked leaning back on the bar. "Yeah man. She tried to get me to explain everything before we came out here, but I think I just pissed her off even more." He said with a light laugh.

"What'd you say?" Dontae asked seeing the ladies minus Xela make their way to the water, "I just told her about how about how me and Lena had an old fling." He said like it was nothing and Dontae just looked at him, "That still don't explain what you did though bro." He said and Donovan smiled sheepishly, "I know, and that's exactly what she said too." He said defeatedly.

"I'm starting to think you don't even want her. Look, I'm gonna give you a little advice; in the time that I've known Xela, I've learned she's a straightforward woman and she doesn't tolerate anyone who isn't the same with her. Just try starting with small talk first, that's what I did with Nicki." Dontae said causing Donovan to sigh instead of reply to his brother.

He wanted to get to know her, but would she let him? "Trust me, she'll eventually see you for who you are instead of that guy at Amelia's." Dontae said as he turned to his brother placing a hand on his shoulder with a small smile. Donovan returned it before Terrance announced he was going to the water.

"You coming bro?" Dontae asked and Donovan shook his head before watching his brother down his drink and follow suit after Terrance. He decided to stayed back to finish up his drink until he noticed Xela still hadn't made her way to the water. He grabbed his cup and stood up, soon realizing the liquid courage was making its appearance as it led his feet towards Xela.

Falling back from Xela was something he found hard to do for some reason. Since she made the effort to ask him about the situation earlier, he figured that now was probably the best time to close that space. He wasn't sure if it was the liquor, but he felt more determined than ever to get her to talk to him.

'Just start with small talk. Cool.'

As Xela laid back on her towel allowing the sun to turn her color a shade darker. She was soon robbed of the beams by a figure standing next to her causing her eyes to open and be met with Donovan taking off his shirt. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to look away until he turned to look down at her.

She got comfortable again before closing her eyes, "You mind watching my drink for me?" He asked placing his drink on one of the small tables, but Xela didn't respond. It made him think of how he'd handle her for ignoring him. He shook his head and laughed it off, hearing his name called by Nicki telling him to come in the water.

He ran to the water and Xela took the time alone to meditate as she began focusing on her breathing then on drowning out the noises around her. Suddenly she was back to the vision she was having a few months ago, she was on the beach with a man. The face was still unrecognizable, but it was beginning to clear up until she was brought back by someone screaming her name.