The Tangled Web

by Hazel Ro

Genres: Christian Suspense

Synopsis

Almost ten years of marital bliss and every day seemed like a dream with Maria and Malcolm. They had a love others could only hope for, and their lives were close to perfection. They had a mansion-like home, luxury cars, corporate careers, and six-figure bank accounts; they felt like nothing was missing. However, there was one thing that Maria hadn’t been able to give Malcolm all those years . . . a son to continue his legacy.

Although Malcolm tried to act like this never bothered him, deep down it did, and Maria was well aware of it. That’s when she decided to give him the surprise of his life for their anniversary by finding the child he believed he shared with his high school sweetheart, Eva.
 
After Maria searches high and low, her efforts appear successful, but she’ll soon discover she may have opened a can of worms when Malcolm realizes what she’s done. He can’t deny the feelings he once had for Eva—feelings Eva never let go of—especially after confirming that they share a son.
 
Malcolm finds himself stuck between the only two women he’s loved in his life. He must make a choice. Yet, that choice never comes when the police show up to inform Maria that there’s been a fatal accident involving her husband. She struggles to decide how to move on without the only man she’s ever loved and his newfound, money-hungry son and his mother. Oh, what a tangled web we weave.
 

Release date: August 22, 2023

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

I’d been craving her dark chocolate skin all week, and now, here we were at our regular meeting spot. I couldn’t have been happier, although my mind kept reminding me that this would be our last time together. Of course, not that I truly wanted it to be, but that it had to be. As I lay there for at least ten minutes, I continually tried to think of ways that things could be different, but being honest with myself, I knew they simply couldn’t. This thing between us had gone on long enough. It had to end before my whole world crashed down on me and I lost everything. As I thought about how to address things, I suddenly heard her angelic voice call out to me.

“Are you ready for me, Mr. Malcolm Carter?” she asked, standing in the doorway of the master bath.

As my eyes glided up and down her body from head to toe, I thought she was the sexiest woman that walked the face of the earth. Eva and I went back as far as our high school days. Back then, she was extremely shy, bashful, and completely insecure about her looks. She always kept to herself with her head tucked away in some book. She was the total opposite of me, who was more like the school’s socialite. I was the star running back, the class president, and pretty much the life and soul of every party. Yet, in my eyes, there was something very intriguing about Eva. I loved how intelligent she was and the way she didn’t hide it, either.

She was most confident in class, sometimes to the point where she challenged the teachers on their own theories. That alone fascinated me because she wasn’t like all the other shallow and clueless girls we grew up with. Plus, although no one else could see it, I was mesmerized by her natural beauty. Eva didn’t need a face full of makeup or a head filled with weave. Eva was just different, and I liked it. And although it took some time for her to grow into her looks and develop her confidence, she was still amazing to me, even in all her awkwardness.

She and I secretly became each other’s best friends during our last couple of years of high school. We talked all the time about anything and everything or even nothing at all. Sometimes, we would walk to school together; other times, we’d meet up afterward.

Eva had become my listening ear to things I couldn’t share with anyone else. I’d confided in her about my family issues, dreams, hopes, fears, and so much more. She pretty much did the same. However, even back then, I could tell she had her reservations. Eva would only go so far with what she revealed to me.

Our bond was as tight as two people could be. The only ones that knew about us were us. There was no way I could have let anyone discover how close I had become to her. I wasn’t ashamed of Eva, but she was simply from a different world than me. My family and friends had wealth and prestige, while hers didn’t. Eva had come from a single-parent home without her father around and with her mother struggling to make ends meet, while my family, on the other hand, gave money to not-so-well-off families like hers as a tax write-off.

And then there were my friends, like my best friend, Cedric. He would have never understood my infatuation with a girl like Eva because of the prettier and more popular girls I had chasing after me. In fact, that was probably one of the very reasons he and I had become close friends. Cedric was quieter and shy, but when girls saw him with me, it gave him the confidence he lacked. I would let him date the girls I wasn’t so interested in, except for Eva. To this very day, neither he nor anyone else ever knew about us.

Anyway, my friendship with Eva was short-lived once I went to college, and we lost touch. At least, that was until I came back home for a visit. We bumped into each other at a gathering of mutual friends, and I couldn’t seem to pull myself away from her. Little Eva had all grown up, and just as I’d imagined, she was absolutely breathtaking, just like now as she stood before me.

Her skin wasn’t just dark but more of a midnight tone. It was moist and without any blemishes at all. She stood about five foot eight, not too small or overly thick. Her body was perfectly proportioned with curves in all the right places. Her eyes were a smoldering dark brown, with half-moon-like crests sculpted into her cheekbones. She had a button nose that sat atop her big puffy, pouting lips that were always pillow soft. Her teeth were perfect, sparkling white that adorned her radiant smile. And her hair was natural, with waves of midnight black cascading over her shoulders without any chemicals. There she stood in a white baby doll bra and panty set and white six-inch heels while my eyes took in every inch of her. Long ago, I started calling her “my Eve” instead of Eva because she was my temptress in our own little secret garden. Suddenly, my manhood jumped for joy at the thought of what would take place.

“Hell yes, Eve. Yes, yes, yes, baby, I am ready for you.”

Slowly, she glided over to the bed, climbed in, and straddled her thick thighs over my lower portion, swallowing all of me. I let out an enormous groan as soon as he connected with her moistness, expressing my overwhelming satisfaction. Then without any hesitation, she began riding him as my large hands gripped her bubble-like cheeks, holding on for dear life. I could tell that it was what we both needed and wanted at that very moment.

After a few minutes of her doing her thing on top of me, I damn near could have exploded that very second. But not wanting to seem like a “minute man,” I decided to take control and flipped her over on her back.

“Oh, Malcolm,” she called out in her seductive tone, and that was when I really began to handle my business. I threw her legs over my shoulders so my strokes would hit deeper. And I assumed I was doing my job when her moans and groans became louder and more intense. We were both in pure ecstasy, and for the life of me, I couldn’t imagine that moment ever ending.

“Oooh, don’t stop, Malcolm. Please, baby, don’t stop,” she bellowed, her fingernails sinking deeper into my back. I tried my best to oblige her and hold back my climax. My lips met hers, and our tongues floated in slow motion with each other’s until we both felt the inevitable.

“I’m coming, baby, I’m coming,” she screamed while her legs shook uncontrollably, and I finally felt my release in sight.

“Oooh, baby, it’s coming,” I yelled, and at once, I felt her legs grip my waist like a sumo wrestler. I pushed myself as far as I could inside her warmth, letting go of every bit of me. Then a second after and feeling totally depleted, I rolled over on my back, allowing us both to catch our breath. Before I could close my eyes and drift into never-never land, I felt her hand slowly creeping up my chest.

“Damn, baby, I wish we could have this all the time,” she whispered softly.

“Yeah, me too,” I said, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead.

“So, why can’t we, Malcolm? I mean, if we both feel the same, then why can’t we finally be together? All the time.”

“Eva, please don’t start. You already know the answer to that. Besides, that’s kind of what we need to talk about anyway,” I reluctantly said while freeing her from my arms and putting a little space between us. Then propping my head on one hand, I tried to look into her eyes so that she could understand the seriousness of the situation. But as I did, I could immediately see the pain beginning to build within them. I could also see the millions of questions forming in the back of her mind, especially when they all came spilling out one after the other, not giving me a chance to utter a single word.

“What do you mean, that’s what we need to talk about? Talk about what, Malcolm? And why are things suddenly feeling so awkward and final between us?”

“Well . . .” I sat up on the side of the bed, turning my back to her. “Because this has to be our last time together, Eva. We just can’t do this anymore. I can’t do this anymore.”

“What? Why? Is it because of her? A woman that you’re not even in love with and never have been?” she yelled behind me. But hearing her words made me snap. Before I knew it, I turned around, shooting a mean glance directly at her.

“Listen!” I raised my voice. “Don’t you ever let me hear those words come from your mouth again. Do you hear me, Eva? Ever.”

“All right, all right, I hear you, Malcolm, but I need you to hear me too,” she shot back. “We’ve been together for years, ever since you returned home from college. And you told me that you would get rid of her. You said you just needed to find the right time to do it, and then it would be all about us. You said you no longer cared about what your family or friends thought because you loved me and not her. Well, I’ve waited, with excuse after excuse and one promise after the next. So, what happened, Malcolm? What happened to the promises you made to me?”

“What happened was I did fall in love with her, okay? And I’m sorry, Eva. I don’t even know when it happened, but the truth is, it happened. And, well, I don’t want to risk everything that I have in my marriage for—”

She cut me off. “For what? For me? You don’t want to risk it all for me is what you’re saying, right?” She hopped out of bed, went over to the sofa, and began sliding on her jeans and top. “Your money, wealth, influence, and good name are far too much to lose for the unsuccessful, penniless woman you love. Well, don’t worry. I get it, Malcolm.”

I ran over and grabbed her, turning her toward me. “Look, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that we both knew how different we were, how different our lives and backgrounds were from the beginning. And we also knew that we couldn’t go on with this forever. And I need to stop this now before someone truly gets hurt.”

“Wow, well, that’s a little too damn late, Malcolm Carter, because someone is hurt. I am hurt—deeply hurt—not that it seems like you care, though. But you know what? I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of being one of those women whimpering, crying, and chasing after you, begging you to stay. You should already know that that’s not me and will never be. So, go ahead and run to your wife and play the good ol’ faithful husband you haven’t been for the past nine years. And don’t you ever dial my number again.” She snatched away from me, picked up her pumps and bag, and headed toward the door.

“Eva, wait, please. Baby, it wasn’t supposed to end like this. Please, come back,” I begged and pleaded, chasing her out the door, forgetting I was completely naked. But none of it helped anyway. She simply walked out without another word or looking in my direction. I stood there, confused about if I’d done the right thing . . . until the door to the room next to mine opened.

“What’s all the noise out here—?” the woman asked until her words halted, and her eyes roamed up and down my body before they focused directly on my main attraction. “Well, damn.”

“I’m-I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to disturb you,” I said, stuttering while trying to cover myself with my hands.

“It’s no disturbance at all, sir, and actually, you’re welcome to come in and join me if you’d like. I’m all alone.”

“Uh, I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t.” I started walking back into the room as fast as I could and closed the door behind me.

Leaning my back against the door and thinking of what had just happened with Eva, I felt horrible. Yet, I knew it was something that needed to be done. In fact, maybe I should have done it long ago. The truth was, I didn’t want to lose everything I’d built with Mariah, not my home, cars, and especially not my millions. I knew that although I loved what Eva and I shared, if I walked away from my marriage for her, I’d more than likely walk away with nothing. Any judge would award Mariah pretty much everything, especially if she ever learned of my affair. Anyway, I no longer had time to dwell on things with Mariah because my cell phone began to play my favorite tune, just like clockwork. I went to the nightstand and cleared my throat, hoping to sound as normal and upbeat as possible.

“Hey, sweetie, I’ll be home in a bit, all right?” I answered on the first ring.

“Okay, honey. Oh, and do you mind stopping by the cleaners on your way? I didn’t get a chance to swing by there today and pick up our clothes.”

“Of course, sure thing, babe.”

“Thank you, my love, and, Malcolm, I love you.”

“I . . . I love you too, sweetheart. I really do.”

Mariah and I never got off the phone or left each other without saying I love you. Hopefully, from this time forward, I could say it and make an effort to mean it too. After hanging up, it was clear to me that I had done the right thing by letting go of Eva, no matter how much it hurt either of us.

I loved hearing those three words come from his mouth every day.

“Baby, I’m home.”

Shutting off the water in our master bathroom, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body. I heard his footsteps approaching our kitchen before heading to our master suite. My nipples immediately stood at attention, just at the mere thought of my husband. It amazed me how Malcolm still had that kind of effect on me after all these years. I loved and adored everything about him, the good and the not-so-good. He was exactly the type of man I’d prayed to spend my life with, and God had answered my prayers through a simple chance meeting.

It was my best friend Crystal’s twenty-first birthday and graduation party. Her parents had gone all out, practically giving her the pool party of the century. Everyone who was anyone was there, and they surprised her with her favorite male singing group and even let all of us have a glass of champagne when the clock struck midnight. It was a party that all our friends talked about for quite a long time, maybe even still to this very day. However, Crystal couldn’t get into the swing of it all because she thought her high school sweetheart, Cedric, had forgotten all about her birthday. She hadn’t heard from him that entire day until he showed up almost two hours late to the party, him and his best friend, Malcolm. Needless to say, her whole attitude changed the second she laid eyes on him and the huge gift box in his hands.

They ended up leaving Malcolm and me alone while they snuck to make out in her bedroom. It was Malcolm’s and my first meeting, but from that night forward, we seemed inseparable. He and I dated for around four years before he asked for my hand in marriage, and I happily obliged, and now we are living happily-ever-after just like in a fairy tale.

A few seconds later, he walked into the bedroom with long-stemmed red roses in his hand. My eyes lit up like they did every time I saw my husband. He was perfect to me in every single way. He stood tall with a solid, muscular frame. His skin was caramel brown, and all his features were chiseled to perfection. His style was always polished and refined, and everything about him seemed regal and grand. Malcolm was truly any woman’s dream, and I was glad he was mine.

“Hey, baby, how are you?”

“Great now that I’m home with you,” he said, laying the roses on the bed and pulling my body close to his. Instantly his lips slowly caressed mine as his tongue entered my mouth. My tongue intermingled with his in a slow and steady motion before I felt my towel sliding off and hitting the floor. His large hands immediately cuffed my breasts, and he massaged my nipples. Then his kisses started to get stronger as I felt his manhood rising and pressing against me.

“Whoa, whoa, soldier,” I said, struggling to pull away from him and not give in to my desires. “Sweetie, you know we can’t do that tonight. We need to get dressed and hurry up and leave.”

“Leave? To go where?” he questioned with his face all frowned.

“Honey, don’t you remember? We told Crystal and Cedric we’d come by tonight for dinner and to see Cedric Junior. I haven’t seen him since they brought him home from the hospital, and I’m dying to kiss his sweet little face.”

“Damn, baby, do we really have to do that tonight?” He crawled out of his suit jacket and walked toward the kitchen. “I mean, can’t we reschedule? I’m beat, and all I wanted was a quiet evening here with you. I even brought home some takeout and thought we would share a nice dinner by the water. Doesn’t that sound better?” he asked, finally making it to the kitchen with me trailing right behind him.

“That would sound great any other time, Malcolm, but not tonight. We’re not going to reschedule. I promised Crystal we were coming, and besides, as I said, it would be our first time seeing the baby since they brought him home. Don’t you want to see him and hold him too? I mean, we are his godparents.”

He pulled the takeout from the bag and set it on the island. Then he rinsed a glass from the dishwasher and poured himself a shot of bourbon. “Listen, sweetie, I’m sure if I call Ced that he’ll be cool with us rescheduling for another time. Besides, although I would love to see the baby, I’m just not in the mood for your friend to give me dirty looks and mumble hateful things under her breath all night, all right? We both know that she doesn’t like me for whatever reason, and the feeling is about t. . .