JUN 07 EXCERPT: Living Consequences

“Living Consequences” Excerpt #1
by Brittney Holmes

As Ronald unlocked the door, the bad feeling that Nevaeh thought had left her alone, reappeared. She knew she should have told him to take her home, or at least try to persuade him to go to the restaurant, but with her heart and his strong hand on her back leading her in the other direction, she was outnumbered.

She gasped as she stepped into the living room that was lit only by candles that were strategically placed. She was even more impressed with the smell of seafood and pasta coming from the kitchen.

“Did you make dinner by yourself?” she asked.

“Yes, I did,” he stated proudly as he turned on the stereo and allowed Tevin Campbell’s voice to stream through the speakers.

Nevaeh looked around the quiet house. “So where is everybody?”

“Well, Dad decided to take Mom out tonight. And Jeremy is at a friend’s and you know where Nikki is,” Ronald said as he looked into her eyes.

Usually it was hard for Nevaeh to hold a steady gaze with Ronald, but tonight she knew there was a mystery behind his dark eyes and she wanted to find out what it was. “So, we are here…alone.” Her statement sounded more like a question.

Ronald smiled and went into the kitchen to put the final touches on the dinner. When he was done, he went back into the living room and led Nevaeh to the dinner table. As she prayed over the shrimp alfrado, she also said a silent prayer that she had not made a mistake by allowing her boyfriend to treat her to this unexpected in-house date.

As they ate, Ronald wished over and over again that this night would not be a total disappointment. He loved Nevaeh so much that he would do anything for her, but this whole abstinence thing was getting old. Being almost eighteen and still a virgin was not something he liked to brag about.

“Living Consequences” Excerpt #2

Nevaeh sat in the living room as Ronald washed their dinner dishes. What are you doing here? Nevaeh’s conscience reprimanded her. You know nothing good can come from this. You need to go home.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” she whispered aloud, trying to believe that she was right, but the knotting in her stomach told her otherwise. She jumped as she heard the soft, sensual melodies of Brian McKnight replace the less polished voice of Tevin Campbell.

“Are you okay?” Ronald asked as he noticed the expression on her face.

She tried to smile. “Yes.”

He reached for her hand and led her to the middle of the room. Gently pulling her into his chest, Ronald inhaled her perfume. He loved the way she held onto his neck as they danced; it seemed as if she’d fall if she released the hold she had on him; he liked that. He was her protection and he kept her from all harm and danger. If someone wanted to get to her, they’d have to go through him first. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life protecting and loving her.

“Nevaeh?” Ronald said as he pulled back slightly.

“Yes?” Nevaeh said as she looked into his eyes.

“I love you so much.”

She could see the passion in his eyes and the level of it made her want to run out of the font door. When he leaned down to kiss her, she pulled away. “Ronald, I—”

He gently pulled her to him and caressed her mouth with his. When she didn’t offer resistance, he released all the passion that was built up inside of him. Nevaeh gave into the feeling. She knew where she was headed, but she didn’t want to stop. Before she knew it, she was lying on the couch and Ronald was on top of her. While he kissed her, he fumbled with her bra strap.

Marriage is honorable, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.