Real Love 1 (If Only You Were Mine)

  If Only You Were Mine

  (Real Love Series – Book 1)

  Christian Novella

  H. H. Fowler

  Copyright © 2015 H. H. Fowler

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  All characters, names, descriptions, and traits are products of the author’s imagination. Similarities of actual people – living or dead are purely coincidental.

  ****

  Connect with H.H. Fowler on Twitter:

  @fowlerguy1

  Blog: www.churchboyz.org

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/www.churchboyz.org

  Dear Reader,

  Off the coast of the Bahama Islands, there is a fictional place called Devin’s Cay. The series consists of seven books, which could be considered standalones, but are intricately tied to each other. My hope is that you will be entertained, inspired and illuminated.

  If Only You Were Mine (Book 1)

  Second Chances (Book 2)

  Hungry Hearts (Book 3)

  If Loving You is Wrong (Book 4)

  Love the One You’re With (Book 5)

  I’m Still in Love With You (Book 6)

  Love Knows No Bounds (Book7)

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Second Chances (Book 2)

  From the Desk of H.H. Fowler

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast…

  1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT)

  Chapter One

  Ten Months Before…

  When Levi walked around to open the passenger door of his maroon Mustang, the first thing Sasha noticed about him were his thighs. Two bulging pieces of flesh covered in a hairy layer of chocolate skin. The soft material of his shorts gripped his buttocks in all the right places, too sensual for a man six-foot-four, two hundred and forty pounds to wear in public. In all the years Sasha had known Levi, she’d never really been this close to his scantily clad body and for a moment she found herself indulging in a chain of inappropriate thoughts.

  “Thanks for picking me up on such short notice,” she said. “My car is down and I had no one else to call at this hour.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, pretty woman,” Levi teased. A nickname he’d created to align with Sasha’s poised disposition. The short brown hairstyle she wore suited her heart-shaped face and her button nose, which was positioned perfectly above her slightly full lips. “Your man is two thousand miles away in some Jim Jones institution, getting high on religion. Someone has got to take care of you in the interim.”

  “Behave yourself, mister. Drake would not appreciate you making fun of his spiritual calling and neither do I. Succeeding Rev. Henderson as the next pastor of El Shaddai Ministries is very important to him.”

  Levi cracked a lopsided grin. “I’m ‘bout six inches taller and thirty pounds heavier than that yellow-skinned dude. Unless he has a black belt in karate, I ain’t scared of him. I’ll take him down in under a minute. As for you, well, what can I say? I have no choice but to handle you with care.”

  Sasha lifted her lips into a coquettish smile. Her fiancé, Drake Beckford, was an exceptional catch with great potential, but if compared to Levi, he was not as blasé nor as humorous in his expression. Drake was a disciplined man who took his spiritual assignments seriously. It amazed Sasha that the two had been best friends for as long as she could remember. Yet, with such differences in their personalities, they somehow exemplified the true meaning of friendship.

  “Excuse my appearance,” Levi said to Sasha’s silence. “I was shooting hoops with some of the boys from Xavier High School. When you called, I had just left the basketball court.”

  Levi’s words drew Sasha’s attention back to that forbidden place she’d been trying to ignore since getting into the Mustang. Those muscular hairy thighs would haunt her for weeks if she didn’t keep her subtle gazes away from them. And how ironic that she was on her way to mid-week Bible study where Rev. Henderson was teaching a three-part series on living holy before God. Why then was she allowing her flesh to get the best of her?

  “It’s fine with me,” she said. “I’m the one invading your space.”

  Levi frowned. “You’re not invading anything. But seriously, it doesn’t bother you that you’re sitting next to a sweaty, well-cut, sexy male? And did I mention that Hersey’s chocolate got its name from my complexion?”

  Sasha covered her smile with her hand. “You are so vain. Drake says it all the time about you and I am starting to believe him.”

  Levi smirked, as he stole a glance at Sasha’s profile. He was really digging the way her short brown hair was cropped against her face, accentuated by her flawless, pecan-colored skin. Indeed, an extremely tempting package that made Levi question within himself if Drake had been man enough to at least taste Sasha’s sweet lips. But considering how sanctified Drake acted when it came to sex, Levi seriously doubted that Drake had made any such move. The dude was probably still a virgin.

  “So,” Levi said, changing the subject a bit, “you are determined to marry that straitlaced man?”

  Sasha frowned. “Determined? I wouldn’t use that word. And I certainly wouldn’t call Drake, straitlaced.”

  “Why? When you know that he is.”

  “One, because you make it seem as if I’m desperate, which I am not. And two, I love Drake, even if he is a little disciplined, which I admire in a man, by the way.”

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I would have never imagined you two together…” Levi paused when he heard Sasha gasp at his statement. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Opposites attract, right? However, I’d always thought that Drake’s personality was too uptight for you; he doesn’t know how to relax, you know what I mean? But what do I know about relationships? You guys seem to be making it work.”

  “Yes, we are making it work,” Sasha said firmly. “Why would you even say something like that?”

  “Because frankly, Sasha, Drake doesn’t really know what he has in a woman like you.”

  Sasha swallowed her response when Levi subconsciously rubbed his thigh, dangerously pushing his jersey shorts back another inch – as if he wasn’t already revealing too much. She’d been with Drake since they were in junior high and she’d never seen him show as much skin as Levi. She breathed a sigh of relief when Levi cut across the intersection and swung into the parking lot of El Shaddai Ministries. She really didn’t know how to respond to Levi’s twisted observation anyway.

  “Where’s your car?” Levi asked before Sasha could get away from him. “I didn’t see it parked at your apartment.”

  “Huh?”

  “You said that your car was down. I figured while you’re here at Bible Study, I could go and take a look at it.”

  Sasha brushed off Levi’s generosity. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. My mechanic is coming in the morning.”

  “And he is going to charge you an arm and a leg,” Levi countered. “I know I’ve said some things that may have made you uncomfortable, but allow me to make up for it.”

 
; “I’ll be fine…” Sasha shrugged. “And what can I say? You simply spoke your mind.”

  “Not according to Drake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, he always tells me that I have a mouth problem. I say the wrong things, at the wrong time, to the wrong –”

  “People,” Sasha finished for him. She then relaxed into a smile. “I’ve heard Drake say it dozens of times too. This is so unbelievable.”

  “What?”

  “You two are always talking about each other.”

  “I admit that dude gets on my last nerve sometimes and makes me wanna knock the heck out of him. But anyone else tries to touch him and they will be history! I love that church-going boy.”

  Sasha laughed. “I’d better be going. I’m already late for Bible Study.”

  “The car, Sasha,” Levi insisted, “where is it?”

  Sasha rolled her eyes. “I’ve told you, I will be fine. Thanks for the offer.”

  “Don’t make me follow you on the inside wearing these shorts,” Levi threatened. “I promise you that I will get many inappropriate looks and I’m sure your pastor wouldn’t be too happy about that.”

  Sasha shook her head, suppressing a smile. “You are determined, aren’t you?”

  “There goes that word again…” Levi spread his hands in an innocent manner. “C’mon, pretty woman. What do you say? Or at least let me pick you up after you’re done with your Bible Study.”

  There was something in Levi’s voice that should have made Sasha run in the opposite direction, but Levi’s appeal was so on point that Sasha found it difficult to resist him.

  She sighed away that little voice in her head and said, “Okay…I should be out in two hours. If you’re a minute late, I will find another ride.”

  Levi grinned. “You must remember, as long as your man is away, I’m responsible to take care of you. I’m actually disappointed that you don’t call on me more often.”

  “Somehow, I don’t like how you said that.”

  “What was wrong with what I said?”

  “Nothing, Levi,” Sasha answered dismissively. “I will see you in two hours. My car is parked at Xavier High School, by the way.”

  Levi slapped his forehead. “Now why didn’t I think of that? You’re a teacher there, which would be the only other logical place your car would be.”

  Sasha smirked. “Two hours, Levi, or else…”

  “Yes, ma’am! I will be here waiting for you.”

  Clutching her bag beneath her arm, Sasha pushed open the passenger door and stepped onto the pavement. She had a pronounced sway when she walked in heels, which immediately arrested Levi’s licentious gaze. How shameful it was for him to be eyeing his best friend’s woman in such a manner. But he would be lying if he said he felt completely guilty about it.

  Chapter Two

  Present Time

  With an askew grin, Drake Beckford proudly scanned the crowd that filled the sanctuary on Valentine’s Day, which happened to also be his wedding day. His family and friends were all there, sharing this special moment he seemed to have waited for all of his life. In particular his mother, Suanne and his two older brothers, Armando and Kevin who’d flown in from their homes overseas. They were standing alongside Levi, all sprucely attired in grey tuxes, as Drake had chosen all three to be his best men. Even his bride’s best friend, Hunter Rose looked amazing as the maid of honor in her flowing fuchsia gown.

  However, no other person in the room captured Drake’s attention like Sasha McKay, his glamorous bride who was slowly gliding down the aisle in a fitted, off-the-shoulder wedding dress. He’d fallen in love with her when she was just a snotty, twelve-year-old in junior high and now as a mature, gifted woman, his love for her had tipped the scale as borderline obsession. Even through her decorated translucent veil, Drake could see that beaming smile on her heart-shaped face.

  As a young promising pastor, Drake needed a woman like Sasha by his side. She was greatly admired for her integrity and her ability to connect with all classes of people. That beaming smile and her even temper were strong traits of a true First Lady. Although his three-year stint at Valor Christian College in Columbus, Ohio had been a challenge for their long distance relationship, Sasha understood how important it was for Drake to be accredited by such a reputable college. He’d assured her that as soon as he graduated, they would tie the knot in grand style.

  Someone tapped Drake on his shoulder and handed him an anonymous handwritten note. The only reason Drake didn’t stuff the note in his pocket to read at a more convenient time was because of the familiarity of the paper. It seemed to come from the baby blue writing pad he’d purchased for Sasha during his last summer visit to Devin’s Cay. When he opened the note and saw the custom-made insignia, he smiled. No doubt Sasha had it sent to him – maybe to remind him of her love for him. She usually did little sweet things like that. He skimmed the two sentences, which nearly gave him an aneurysm.

  Think twice about marrying Sasha. I have proof that she was sleeping with your best friend while you were overseas. This is from a concerned friend.

  Drake looked up, subtly searching the crowd for that face who would send him this disgusting note. Had they no respect for the happiest day of his life? And how dare they accuse his Sasha of being unfaithful to him – and with his best friend, of all people! This sort of thing only came from miserable souls whose hearts were set on making someone else miserable. And it was of a truth: Misery certainly loves company. Drake would not entertain such absurdity. He crumbled the note and shoved it in his pants pocket. He hoped that person would see that they hadn’t the power to stop this ceremony.

  His gaze once again found Sasha, who had now paused at a decorative pew in anticipation of his arrival. The glow on her face said it all. She loved him and he loved her. It was implausible to think that she’d been unfaithful to him. This was his angel – the one who God had customized for his life. Together, they would excel in their God-given purposes and create one of the most nourishing environments to raise their five children. Drake could envision their happiness, as he continued down the red carpet to meet his bride.

  Kenny Lattimore’s love ballad, For You sealed the moment for the couple. The lyrics themselves were the exact promises made to Sasha by her Prince Charming. From now to forever, he would be there for her, to comfort her and sustain her with a life of stability. Drake’s heart began to beat against his chest when Sasha locked her arm through his and they began to march toward the altar. The crowd agreed with the union and in response, exploded in a standing ovation. Everyone just knew that Drake and Sasha were meant to be together.

  They finally arrived at the altar, both with tears of joy in their eyes. And as the presiding Bishop of El Shaddai Ministries prepared to give the opening words, something pulled Drake’s attention away from his beautiful bride. He would have dismissed it had a feeling of uneasiness not yanked at the strings of his heart. His best man, Levi Johnson hadn’t stopped staring at Sasha ever since they arrived at the altar. It was not a stare of innocent admiration, but a deep gaze that pulled Levi’s face into a grim expression.

  Why the long face and sulky attitude? Drake thought. I thought we’d gotten over that silly disagreement. About a month leading up to the wedding, he and Levi had had a fiery exchange of words concerning the timing of Drake’s marriage to Sasha. Levi felt both Drake and Sasha were too young for such a level of commitment, especially with Drake just recently finishing Bible School. How was Drake going to support a new wife with no steady means of income? Sure, Drake received a small stipend from the church for serving as one of the associate pastors, but it was not enough to provide for the life Sasha deserved.

  But Drake argued that God would be their provider and despite their young age of twenty-four, Drake and Sasha loved each other and were committed to the survival of their marriage. In Drake’s eyes, Levi was too much of a freethinker anyway to give advice on such a sanctified union. Levi simply wouldn’t
understand. Drake soon shrugged off the uneasiness and returned his attention to his bride. It was not unusual for Levi to express his distaste for a situation, even if it happened to be on the happiest day of Drake’s life.

  The wedding ceremony proceeded without any hiccups. In less than an hour the couple had said their vows and were running down the steps of the church, trying to avoid the showers of rice being thrown at them. But just before they entered into a late-model sedan that had “Just Married” sprayed on the back windshield, Hunter Rose handed Drake two small white boxes. In them were custom-designed jewelry pieces from her collection. The old wedding tradition was then completed with strings of cans trailing behind in the street, certainly a vintage wedding to remember.

  Of course, the crowd was excited – too excited for Levi’s taste. He furtively slipped away to the side of the church and found a quiet spot. There, he released his true emotions. First the tears came and then the swearing beneath his breath. How could Sasha do this to him? He was supposed to be the one marching up the aisle with her. Not Drake. Levi suddenly scoffed at his thoughts. Who was he kidding? Sasha would have never married an irreligious bartender like him anyway. Because she would rather marry for convenience than for true love.

  Chapter Three

  Ten Months Ago…

  In less than two hours, Levi was already parked out front of El Shaddai Ministries, waiting for Sasha to come through the exit. He hadn’t changed out of his skimpy shorts, for the simple fact that he’d noticed how his exposed thighs had produced a level of interest in Sasha. She’d tried to hide it, but he could tell that she was only putting on a façade. Could it be that she was having the same inappropriate thoughts of him that he was having of her? Why else would she agree that he should pick her up? Sasha was well-loved in her church and she could have gotten any number of persons to take her home.