“Sister-dearest,” Topaz said as she sidled up to them. “I was wondering if you were going to make it or not.”
“Why wouldn’t I be here for Tyrell’s wedding, Pazie?” Tahnee snipped.
“Don’t call me by that horrid name,” she hissed. Her perfect features smoothed out as she gazed at Jake. “You look delicious in that,” she purred. One manicured hand reached out to trail along his arm.
Jake raised an eyebrow and said as if discussing the weather, “That’s just what Tahnee said after we made love and showered before coming here.”
Topaz narrowed her eyes. “You don’t really expect me to believe that you want her. I mean really, if you’re going to explore your ‘jungle fever,’ then why not do it with a stunning woman. Not her…short and dumpy.”
Tahnee stiffened. Jake shook his head. “You know, that’s probably why you’re stuck with Tahnee’s leftovers. You have a horrible attitude. Your sister is so sexy I want to do things to her now that would make you blush. I’m insatiable when it comes to her; even watching her breathe turns me on. You don’t have a clue what it takes to grab a man’s attention, do you.”
Jake ran his strong hand down Tahnee’s side. The gesture gentle, yet at the same time possessive and loving. “You can’t even compare to the pure, raw sensuality this woman on my arm exudes. And she does so in spades. You work so hard at attracting a man’s attention, but they are naturally drawn to Tahnee.” Grabbing Topaz’s stare he finished with, “You could learn a lot from her.”
Without waiting for her to finish, Jake led Tahnee away and into the church where they took a seat on the groom’s side.
The ceremony was beautiful. Jake held her hand throughout the entire service. When it came time for vows to be exchanged, Jake and Tahnee stared at one another, as if it were the two of them, up there before God and family. Although their mouths never moved, their eyes conveyed deeper feelings.
His green eyes were gentle as they stared into her honeyed ones. They drifted to her lips and back up to her eyes. One day, it will be us up there. He stroked the skin on the back of her hand enjoying the resulting tremors.
He never left her side the remainder of the evening. They sat together throughout the meal. Jake was extremely attentive but not in an overbearing way. The looks that he received throughout the night eased until they were all accepting, with the sole exceptions of Topaz and Javon.
Each of them was jealous of the couple for different reasons. Topaz because she knew her sister had truly found a man that doted on her. Javon for he realized he had been extremely stupid to let Tahnee go and would never again be lucky enough to have her back.
Tahnee danced with her brother. The wedding had been so beautiful. As she spun around the room in his arms, she smiled up at him. “You seem so happy, Tyrell.”
“I am, little sis. And I see that this Jake makes you happy as well. I hope you let him continue to do so.”
Jake. Just the name made her body respond. It seemed no matter what, she couldn’t get enough of his touch. Since he had kissed her in her shop, she had made love more times than the rest of her boyfriends combined. I would love for him to continue to do so, but I hardly think I am the type of woman he sees ‘forever’ written on.
“I am happy with him.”
“That’s obvious. I can tell you love him.”
That gave her pause. Love? “We’ll see where it goes.” The music ended and a smile crossed her face as Jake was there waiting for her.
Tyrell nodded and kissed her goodbye. His dark eyes landed on Jake and he said, “Take care of my baby sister, man.”
“I intend to,” Jake vowed.
After the married couple left, Jake found himself dancing on the floor with Tahnee in his embrace. Her eyes were kind yet sad as she looked up at him. “I don’t think I can ever repay you for helping me out this weekend.”
He smiled down at her. “I was more than happy to help you with a little white lie.” The music ended but he didn’t move to the edge of the floor, just kept her in his arms right there.
“I will give you your ring back tonight.” Tahnee said, proud her voice didn’t crack.
“I don’t want it back.”
“Jake, you spent a lot of money on this. You should get it back.” She insisted.
“Let’s go home.” He led her off the dance floor and towards the door.
He waited as she said goodbye to her parents. Jake grinned as she ignored her sister and totally avoided Javon. He noticed Javon seemed to spend most of the evening watching how he interacted with Tahnee. Almost voyeuristically.
Content was the only word that came to mind as he walked out to his car with Tahnee at his side. He ignored her comment about going back to her place and instead took her back to his condo.
“What are we doing here, Jake? I told you I need to get home. I have to work tomorrow.” Tahnee said as she followed him inside his place.
“We have to talk.” He led her to the couch and went to the kitchen to get some drinks. When he came back in, he was pleased to see she had removed her shoes and was sitting with her legs tucked under her on the seat.
Tahnee looked up at him as he walked back into the room. He had removed the jacket to his tuxedo and had unbuttoned the top three buttons on the shirt. In each hand he carried a drink. “About what?” she asked as she accepted one of the glasses.
“Us.” That one word almost made her choke on the liquid. Setting the glass down beside her, she began to remove the ring he had allowed her to wear.
“No!” he blurted out. “Don’t take it off.”
Wide-eyed Tahnee looked up at the large man who had knelt beside her. “But…but…it’s yours.”
“I want you to keep it.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I want us to take this lie and turn it into the truth. I’ve fallen in love with you Tahnee. I want to marry you.”
Any second now, Topaz is going to jump out and the jeers will begin. “That’s not a funny joke, Jake.” Tahnee pulled her hand back and tried to get up off the couch.
“I’m not laughing. Nor am I lying to you. No, sit down.” Jake blocked her on the couch with his arms. “I just told you I loved you.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” she questioned in a tiny voice. The tears threatened to fall but she refused to give in. Tahnee sagged back against his couch acknowledging she wouldn’t get past him if he didn’t want her to.
“Because I want to marry you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I can’t imagine the thought of another man touching you. I don’t want to share you. Hell, I won’t share you.” His body went rigid at the thought of any man touching her.
Jake grabbed her chin in one hand. “I am so in love with you, Tahnee. I don’t want to face a single day without you in it beside me. Please tell me you will marry me.”
At that moment, Tahnee realized that what had started out as a little white lie had turned into something so much more. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you, Jake. I love you, too.”
The End
About the Author:
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can follow her on her Amazon Author page, Book Bub author page, or at Goodreads.
She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.
I hope you enjoyed reading, A Little White Lie. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also by reviewing it to let others know you liked it, even only a line or two—and why—on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other places, even if it’s nothing more than a line or two. Every bit helps, makes all the difference and is absolutely appreciated.
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Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:
Sensual Romance Publishing
A Knight’s Vow
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
If You Dare
Lion of Midnight
Raw Exposure
Faith’s Tears
Honest Deception
A Little White Lie
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Forgotten Shadow (A MT Christmas Novella)
Haikon
A Love for Lera
Rakes & Rogues
What the Earl Desires
Her Reluctant Viscount
Her Pirate Rogue
Cottonwood Falls -Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited
Relentless
Fracture
Ravish
Spark
Savor
Intensity
Inferno
Snake’s Salvation
Tryst with the CEO
Brodie’s Wish
Operation Ball N’ Chain
Springwood
The Wedding Snafu
The Billionaire’s Code
Delay of Game
Daring the Hard Man
Icy Dare
Born to Fly
Landing in Love
You Save Me
Wild As The Wind
Winter Bliss
Add A Little Mistletoe
Zulu Spectre
Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)
It Could Happen Again
Tungsten Protective Services
Down Range
All In
His Rysk to Take
His Pryze to Claim
Tatra Pack
Say You’re Mine
Whispered Loyalties
Red Willows
Holiday Liaison
Watching You
Interwoven
Fire Devil
Seasons
Autumn Frost
Winter Flame
Spring Rain
Summer Thunder
Trapper Lakes Series—Cozy Mysteries
Look Who Tuna’d Up Dead
Totally Bound
Preconception
Seducing Damian
Through the Fire
Heart’s Compass
The Princess & the Marquess
Serial
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5
Astral Guardians
Chasing the Storm
Highlands at Dawn
Fields of Thunder
Branded by Frost
Driven by Night
Moon of Fire
Boxset Books 1-3
Boxset Books 4-6
Interludes
Temporary Home
Alone with You
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore
The Complete Boxset
This Ain’t No Love Story (novella)
In Aeternum
Casanova in Training
Harbour of Refuge
Protected by Shadows
Polar Opposites
Code of Honour
A Marriage of Convenience
The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife
A Man Like No Other
When Stars Collide
The Complete Boxset
Theta Corps
Restitution
Contrition
Vindication
The Complete Boxset
The Edge
Called Home to The Edge
Straying to The Edge
Returning to The Edge
Cuffed at The Edge
The Monroe Sisters
Need You Now
Let Me Go
I Won’t Say Goodbye
Entangled
Code Name: Papa
Standalone
Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)
Love Under the Endless African Sky
Co-written with Taige Crenshaw
Unbreakable Bonds
Kemet Uncovered:
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber
Ashia
Boxset Part 1: Books 1-3
Boxset Part 2: Books 4-6
Co-written with McKenna Jeffries
Wicked Burn
McKingley:
All the Wright Moves
The Best Thing Yet
Risky Pleasures
Pure Harmony
Irresistible Forces
Seductions Dance