"I've told you before," Makayla said with a loving smile.

"Come here?" He stood.

Makayla rose and stepped into his embrace.

"Don't ever assume I won't be there for you. Promise me."

Makayla looked up into his face. "I promise."

Moments later, guests began to arrive for the party. Workers from the orphanages, all of Makayla's family and some of Tamarius' family had all been invited. Everyone had a good time and they were thrilled to see Tia on her way to a full recovery.

It was past midnight when the last few guest finally left. Makayla told her parents to go to bed. They both looked exhausted. Her mother was reluctant, but she gave in. Makayla sent Tia to bed, also. She still needed much rest to complete her recovery. Tia didn't argue and went to bed.

It took them hours, but Tamarius and Makayla finally finished cleaning up after the party. When everything was cleared, they sat outside enjoying the night's cool breeze. After a moment, Tamarius stood and walked to the steel pan drums. He picked up the sticks and began to play. Makayla smiled. She loved steel pan. The sounds echoed through her, beating right into her soul. She walked over to Tamarius and stood in front of him admiring the music.

"I didn't know you played."

"My father made us pick an instrument when we were young."

"You're good." Makayla smiled.

"Did you ever play?"

"No, just enjoyed the sounds. It soothes me," she mumbled.

Tamarius grinned and stopped. "Come." He motioned for her to join him.

Makayla stepped between him and the steel drum. Tamarius put the sticks in her hands and pulled her close to him. "Okay, just relax," he whispered into her ear. He placed his hands over hers and began to play 'Old time something.'

Makayla smiled as he guided her hands, beating out the rhythm.

Tamarius breathed in her scent as he began to kiss her neck. Her ponytail fell to the side exposing the back of her neck. He kissed the back of her neck.

Makayla could feel him losing his focus. The kisses he placed on the back of her neck caused her heart to skip a beat as she dropped the sticks. They both stood silent for a second before he spun her around, kissing her wildly.

Makayla slipped her hands under his shirt, running her nails over his muscles. He picked her up as she placed her arms around his neck. They kissed until they were both breathless.

"Stop, before I rape you right here," Makayla teased.

"Can't call it rape if we both want it." Tamarius tried to catch his breath. He had Makayla pinned up against the seven-foot fence. He slowly let her down until she leaned her head on his chest. "When do we go home?" Tamarius joked.

"I'm ready to go now," Makayla joked back as she stepped from around him.

"I can call the jet now." Tamarius was now serious.

Makayla smiled as she stepped towards him to touch his cheek.

"I think you should go, stand far over there, right now," Tamarius said, pointing across the pool.

"Tamarius, are you serious?" Makayla laughed.

"Hey, you don't have the same tools I have."

"I'm going to bed." Makayla laughed and walked off.

Tamarius eventually made it into the house. He wanted to see Makayla one last time before he went to bed. He tapped on her door and Makayla poked her head around the door.

"I just want to tell you goodnight."

"Goodnight, baby."

Tamarius could see that she was wearing one of his favorite nightgowns. "What are you wearing?"

Makayla smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yeah, I would. Okay, you know what? I'm leaving you hanging. Goodnight," Tamarius said sternly as he walked off.

Makayla laughed as she began to close the door, only to be stopped by Tamarius' foot blocking the way. She opened the door to let him in. "I thought you were going to leave me hanging."

"Leave you? Never." He grabbed her.

"Babe, my parents are next door."

"Okay... why are you trying to ruin it for me."

Makayla laughed softly. She locked the door and pulled her cami over her head while Tamarius took off his shirt. He watched her silhouette in the moonlight. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered.

"No, but I can't resist you anymore. I missed you. It wasn't easy pretending to be mad at you."

"Pretend?"

"Yeah." She met his gaze. "Sorry." She looked away.

Tamarius wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, you're going to pay for that."

Makayla looked into his eyes. "I thought men like you were dead."

"And I thought women like you didn't exist." He leaned down, kissing her and feeling her naked breasts against his chest caused him to become vivacious as he slipped off her thong.

Makayla unbuttoned his pants, and Tamarius picked her up and looked around the room.

"Floor," Makayla whispered.

"The floor?" Tamarius protested.

Makayla slowly gyrated against his chest. With a groan, he guided her to the floor and made love to her. They fell into blissful sleep, holding each other.

Makayla was awakened by a sharp knock at her door. She knew it was her father and instantly panicked. They had overslept and it was now nine in the morning.

"Kay, breakfast is ready," Fa said.

"Okay, Dad. I'll be there in a sec." Makayla jumped to her feet and looked down at Tamarius. He was knocked out. Makayla was grateful he wasn't the heavy snoring type. She got down on the floor where they'd fallen asleep and crawled over Tamarius, kissing him from his bellybutton to his neck.

He groaned. "Mmm, ready for seconds?"

"We overslept. Get up. I don't want my dad to see you in here," Makayla whispered in his ear.

"Okay, that's not what I want to hear in the morning." Tamarius sat up as Makayla rolled over onto the floor. "Just one more time to hold me over?" He leaned over her.

There was another knock at the door. "Where is Tamarius? He's not in his room. Did he leave?" Fa asked.

"He probably went for a jog, Daddy," Makayla lied.

"Oh, okay."

Makayla listened to her father's footsteps fade away then whispered, "Hurry." They scrabbled to put clothes on.

"What do you want me to do?" Tamarius asked.

"Go through the window." Makayla hurried over to open it.

"Okay, why am I getting the feeling you've done this before?"

"Just go, sexy." She laughed softly and smacked him on the butt.

"Now I feel cheap." Tamarius smiled and stepped out of the window. "Hey...you have done this before."

"Just go."

"I'm jealous,"

Makayla finished dressing and met her parents and Tia in the dining room for breakfast.

Tamarius was also sitting at the table, smiling innocently. Makayla was baffled, but then remembered his ability to teleport. "Good morning." She smiled at him.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"I feel like I'm sixteen again," Makayla joked.

Tamarius smiled and shook his head. "Okay, what are we going to do about the orphanage?" he asked.

"Let's go and clean everything up. Just gut it and get everything brand new. Get all industrial equipment for the kitchen," Makayla said.

"Wait, Kay... Please don't go there," Tia said weakly.

"Tia, what happened?" Tamarius asked. They still had not heard the full story about the night she was attacked at the children's home.

"Tamarius, don't let her go over there. She's in danger." Tia brought her hands to her face and wept quietly.

Tamarius walked around the table to sit next to her. He consoled her by gently putting his arm over her shoulder. "We need to know what we are getting ourselves into."

"A week before this happened we got a new little boy. He was found wandering the mall long after it had closed. Nobody knew where he came from. He wouldn't speak or eat. He would just wander around the house. None of the kids liked him. They were afraid of him. The night that I was attacked, I had a nightmare about that little boy. I woke up to check on him and he was gone. I was blindsided and the last thing I remember is a demonic voice screaming, 'Where is Makayla?'"

Tamarius straightened up and looked at Makayla. "Oh, you're not going anywhere."

"Tamarius, come on," Makayla protested.

"No." Tamarius was clear.

"Kay, he is right," Fa said. "It's too dangerous."

"Dad, don't help him."

"Kay, you're not serious," Coretta said.

"Mom," she whined. "Okay everyone, listen and listen good. If I don't face this demon, he will eventually win by destroying everything I love and care about. If I don't stand up to him now, he is just going to find another way of getting to me later. I know that you all love me and you don't want to see me get hurt, and thank you for loving me, but I have to do this, especially now."

Tamarius stood up and walked around the table. "Can I talk to you privately?" he asked with his hands on his hips, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Excuse us," Makayla said as she stood up. They walked out to the gallery and leaned against her father's car.

"I understand what you're saying, but I don't want you getting hurt. If I hadn't showed up when I did..."

"I let my fear get in the way."

"Kayla, this is crazy. I can't lose you now. I just found you."

Makayla pulled Tamarius by the waist of his pants, brining him closer. "How did you get dressed so fast?" She smiled.

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"I love you and I have to do this."

"Are you busy tonight, Ms. Li?"

"No, why?"

"I will be back," Tamarius said, kissing her before walking back into the house to call a taxi.

Makayla followed him, curious about his sudden need to leave.

Tamarius hid his smirk as he watched Makayla search her mind for a reason to his behavior "Where are you going?" Makayla questioned.

"Just wear something nice tonight. Why don't you and Tia go shopping?" he suggested.

"For a date?"

"Surprise!" Tamarius said sarcastically.