Loves Redemption

I can walk in these things, although I
do like the added inches.” The spike-heeled sandals were a matching deep red color with satin ribbons that laced up the front, ending with a sexy bow near her shin.
Taking a few experimental steps around her bedroom, Maya was surprised at her ability
to walk in the high heels with relative ease.
“No it is not too much, Sesute. You can never be too sexy! What is wrong with you?”
Dalia laughed. “Listen Maya, you have a wonderful time. I will be waiting to hear a full report when you come home. I am going to leave, so that you may do any final preparations in private, before your detective arrives.” With a hug Dalia left Maya to complete her final touches. She sprayed a natural light floral perfume to her pulse points as she waited for Mark to arrive.
Soon after Dalia left her doorbell rang, and as she turned to leave, her glance stole to the floral arrangement on her vanity. She made a mental note to thank Mark for the beautiful
flowers, and with an excited tingle in her belly left her bedroom.
* * * *
Mark held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a grin on his face when Maya answered
the door.
“Please come in, Mark. I have to grab my purse,” she invited after he gave her a lingering
kiss hello.
It was then she noticed the bouquet of flowers he held. “Oh Mark, they’re beautiful,
thank you. You sure are spoiling me! Let me go and place them in a vase. I have one in the
kitchen. I’ll be right back,” she promised as she accepted the flowers and went in search of the vase.
As soon as she returned, flowers in vase, he complimented her. “Maya you look
stunning,” he said.
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself,” she complimented in return, her gaze
settling over him. He wore loose, black tailored slacks with a small cuff at the ankles. His lightweight jacket was unfastened over a burgundy close-fit ribbed shirt.
As she was admiring him, he was doing the same to her. The deep red of the dress set off
the golden tones of her complexion. The dress was tiny and clingy, and it outlined her curvy little body to perfection.
Mark’s gaze traveled downward, and his eyes took in her small feet encased in the sexiest
shoes he’d ever seen. They made her feet look like a small present. He wouldn’t mind skipping dinner to start unwrapping.
The constriction in his throat had him clearing his voice as he complimented her again,
before escorting her into a waiting late model Jaguar sedan. Once they were inside, he turned on the radio, and the sound of a bluesy saxophone filled the car.
Maya settled back against the soft leather interior and turned her body toward him. “Nice
car. What happened to your SUV?” He watched her hands caress the cool, butter-colored leather seat.
“I wasn’t sure what you would wear tonight, and I didn’t want you to have a hard time
climbing inside, so I borrowed one of my brother’s cars. It’s a lot easier to get into than my Expedition.”
“Thank you. That was thoughtful.” They sat in companionable silence for long moments
until Maya spoke. “Are you and your brothers close? Allison was the closest I had to a sister, but I always wondered what it would be like to have had a real family.”
“It was fun at times. At others, my brothers could be a real pain in the … butt. Overall
we’re pretty close.” As he spoke, the love he had for his family came shining through in his voice and Maya felt a pang of envy.
When they reached the popular River Walk area, Mark parked in a secured lot not far
away.
“It sure is a beautiful night,” her voice was low and admiring as she looked around and
smiled. Her lovely face lit with joy as they strolled along the lit path.
As Mark captured her hand in his, he knew the night held nothing in beauty compared to
her. He wanted to tell her, but knew if he did, she’d think it was a line, and a corny one at that.
Instead, he brought her hand to his mouth and placed small kisses on her knuckles before giving her pinky a final kiss.
“It certainly is,” he agreed.
As they strolled along the walkway, Mark noticed the small steps Maya had been taking.
Much smaller than her normal gait. “Are your feet okay? I remember you told me you don’t go out too much and you were more comfortable in running shoes than heels. Those are sexy as
hell, but they don’t exactly look like running shoes.”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t too sure about them at first, but they’re a lot more comfortable than
they look. I’m walking a little slower to make sure,” she said with a self-conscious laugh. “And you know, I think I could get used to heels. I feel like a giant!”
The top of her head was still inches below his shoulder, so he refrained from commenting
on her height. After walking a while longer, they settled on a restaurant and decided to eat at one of the outside tables.
Looking across the candlelit table at Mark, Maya smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve
been here. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Thank you for coming with me.”
“Speaking of gratitude, I never thanked you for the lovely flowers you sent last week.
They were beautiful.” She smiled across the table at him.
“Maya, I didn’t send any flowers last week. Someone sent you flowers? When did you
get them?” Mark demanded, as unbidden, jealousy rose sharp at the thought of some other man sending her flowers.
“It was the same day as the interview with Alicia Somers. I thought they were from you,
even though the wording was kind of strange.” She recalled the odd phrasing. “I kept the note.”
“I’d like to take a look at it if you