Fall Black In Love 1: When Henry Met Millie Page 9

  Millie nodded. “Good.”

  “So my girl is jealous?” Henry asked smiling.

  “Honey can be bitter as well as sweet,” she told him.

  Henry laughed. “Hmmm, well I like my Honey sweet.” He kissed her slowly until she moaned softly. “Like that,” he whispered against her damp lips.

  The pair sat on the risers looking up at the darkened sky for a while between intermittent kisses. “I can’t believe it’s still this warm outside,” Henry commented.

  “They call it Indian Summer when it’s this warm in the fall,” Millie explained.

  “Is that what they call it?” he asked confused.

  Millie shrugged and laughed. “I have no idea why and I’ve never asked.”

  “I guess that’s a northerner thing…”

  “I guess so country boy,” she teased.

  Millie laid her forehead against his. “You tell that Ford Motor Company that in three weeks, Henry Patterson is all mine.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She stared down into his face. “This is going to be hard Henry.”

  “I know Millie. I’ll be sure to call.”

  Millie nodded before lowering her head to his for their final kisses of the night.

  ******

  A few days later, Bill walked down the hall next to the Student President who was giving him a tour of the Community College. Helen was giving him all the information about the school, but he was on the lookout for one person.

  He’d taken off work, using one of his few remaining personal days to check out the school. He had no idea what classes he would even consider because seeing Honey was his main objective.

  “So Bill, do you have any questions?” Helen asked.

  Bill smiled. “I love your softball team here. I’m a big supporter.”

  Helen beamed. “Yes, our women won the championship! We’re so proud of them.”

  “They all go to school here right?” Bill questioned.

  “Oh yes! That’s a requirement. Our MVP, Honey is in our nursing program.”

  Bill nodded. “Her name’s Millie right?”

  Helen nodded and looked at him suspiciously.

  “I was at the celebration after the championship and you announced her name,” Bill supplied.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Helen remembered. “So what program do you think you’d like to visit next?”

  Bill smiled again. “I’d like to check out Nursing.”

  Helen pursed her lips. “Sure…let’s go this way.”

  Bill followed Helen happily into the nursing classrooms. To his dismay, Honey wasn’t in any of the rooms they toured and when it ended, he still hadn’t seen her.

  “That concludes our tour Bill,” Helen announced. “If you have any other questions, you can contact our Admissions department.”

  Bill reluctantly exited the building and headed outside. It was another warm fall day and students were outside eating lunch and conversing. He smiled at his fortune when he saw Honey sitting at one of the tables. He knew his plan would work…

  ******

  Irma looked over at Millie. “How many days has it been?”

  Millie looked sad. “Three.”

  Irma laughed. “Girl, you got it bad for that guy.”

  “I know. I won’t survive three weeks without seeing Henry,” Millie complained.

  “You’re acting like the man has gone off to war, Honey. He’s just working.”

  Millie put her chin on her palm resting her elbow on the table. “You don’t understand Irma.”

  Irma gave her a sly smile. “Oh, I understand. Henry’s got you hot in the panties.”

  “Don’t talk about my panties, Irma!” Millie laughed.

  Both women continued to laugh as someone approached their table. Irma looked up and frowned then Millie looked up and blushed as her legs clenched, remembering Henry’s words that had been spoken against the inside of her thigh.

  “Hello ladies,” Bill greeted.

  “Hi,” Millie greeted while Irma just raised a brow.

  He turned to Millie. “Bill, I met you at the celebration.”

  Millie nodded. “Hi Bill.”

  “You mind if I join you?” he asked.

  Irma looked at Millie before grabbing her bag. “I’ve got class, so I’ll see you later Honey.” Standing she glanced at Bill then back at Millie. “Tell Henry I said hello.”

  Millie grinned as Irma walked away and Bill took a seat at the table.

  “Do you go here Bill?” Millie asked confused.

  He smiled. “I’m thinking about it. The plant will pay for my classes.”

  “That’s nice,” Millie responded. “So you work at the plant with Henry Patterson?”

  His smile faded. “Yeah, we work across from each other.”

  Millie frowned. “I thought you guys were on mandatory overtime?”

  “Not all of us and I took the day off to tour the campus,” Bill explained.

  “It’s great here. What program are you interested in?” Millie asked.

  Bill smiled. “I’m really interested in Nursing.”

  “Male nurses are in demand,” she commented. “It’s a pretty intense program. I’m not sure how you would do that and work at the plant full time.”

  He leaned forward. “I was thinking that maybe I could take you out for dinner and maybe ask you some questions about the program.”

  Millie leaned back. “Well we have Admissions counselors for that. They can tell you more than I can.”

  He shrugged. “Well you can tell me from the student’s perspective.”

  Millie drew back further. “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea Bill.”

  Bill’s face fell. “Because of Henry?” he asked.

  She nodded slowly. “Yes, I’m Henry’s girl.”

  “Henry would never have even met you if it wasn’t for me. He didn’t even want to come to your game,” Bill told her.

  “Look Bill,” Millie began.

  “He knew that I liked you, but he went after you anyway,” he told her adamantly.

  Millie grabbed her bag. “I don’t know what’s going on here but I’m leaving.” She stood and began to walk away when Bill grabbed her arm.

  “Wait Millie, I’m sorry.”

  She looked at the hand on her arm. “You should let me go right now.”

  Bill quickly removed his hand. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. Unfortunately, he was saying it to her back as she walked away.

  ******

  Seven days into his twenty-one-day mandatory schedule, Henry returned home from work. To say that he missed seeing Millie would be a huge understatement. Hearing her voice each night only made him long to touch her, look into those pretty eyes and taste those plush lips.

  Henry had been moved to another part of the plant for his some of his overtime so he hadn’t seen Bill in several days. This suited him just fine, as he didn’t have to listen to his chatter all day. Henry wondered if Bill had been in contact with Millie. She hadn’t mentioned anything in their nightly phone calls and if so, he wanted her to tell him herself without him having to question her about it.

  Henry knew that he could trust Millie. Although they hadn’t been courting long, his heart had already told him that she was the one he’d come to Detroit to find. Millie was everything he wanted in a girl and he was going to make sure she didn’t get away. Twenty-one workdays might slow down his plans but they wouldn’t deter him.

  Henry parked and headed inside his building where his landlord stopped him at the entrance.

  “Hey Henry.”

  He smiled. “Hello Mrs. Jones.”

  “I got a package for you down the hall,” she informed him. “Didn’t fit in your mailbox.”

  “Thanks, I’ll come get it right now.”

  Henry followed her and retrieved the box then thanked her again before heading upstairs. As he walked down the hall, he smiled.

  Stopping in front of his door, he placed a hand flat
on the panel and looked down. “Am I dreamin’?”

  He felt plush lips touch his before a raspy voice answered. “Do you dream of me outside your door?”

  Dropping the box to the floor, he slid an arm around her waist pulling her against him. “I dream of you in all kinds of places and in all kinds of ways Millie.”

  He touched her face. “Next time, get the key from the landlord.”

  She smiled. “Okay, I didn’t want to do that without your permission.”

  Henry lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist holding on to him. Finally, he allowed himself to taste his Honey and she was as sweet as he remembered.

  “Millie…” He paused to breath against her lips.

  “Irma’s picking me up in two hours. I know that you need your rest for work,” she whispered. “But I couldn’t wait another day to see you.”

  Henry reached in his pocket and retrieved the keys still holding on to Millie. Opening the door, he gently kicked the box inside before carrying her into the room.

  “What are we going to do for two hours?” he asked once they were inside.

  Millie smiled. “I’m going to make you some dinner and then we’re going to fool around until it’s time for me to go.”

  Henry sat her on her feet. “Can I take a shower first?”

  She gave him a once over and feasted her eyes on him. “Yes, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  He gave her another kiss before heading to the bedroom. Millie went to the kitchen and checked Henry’s fridge. She saw that he had ground beef waiting to be prepared. Taking it out, she placed it on the counter.

  Millie went to the bedroom door and gave a light knock. It opened and Henry stood in his white underwear against his brown skin. “Yes, Millie.”

  It took Millie a moment to collect her thoughts. “Um…what do you want me to make with the ground beef?”

  “I’m not picky. Whatever you make, I’ll eat.” He smiled. “I’ve had your cooking so I’m not worried.”

  Millie’s eyes continued to devour his muscled chest and legs and everything in between. “You want to come in pretty woman?” he asked in that slow southern drawl.

  She shook her head. “No, I’d better make your dinner before I have to go.”

  With one long last look, Millie turned and went back to the kitchen. When Henry finished his shower, he smelled the most delicious smells coming from his kitchen. He dressed in a T-Shirt and some jeans before heading out to meet Millie.

  Henry found her in the kitchen at the stove. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You look so pretty in my kitchen,” he breathed against her neck.

  Millie sniffed in his clean scent. “You smell good.”

  “Do I usually smell bad?” he asked still kissing her throat.

  “No, of course not,” She turned slightly to see his face. “You just smell really good right now.”

  He kissed her briefly. “This food smells good. I didn’t know you could do all this with a package of ground beef.”

  “I wanted to make you something hearty. I know you’ve been working really hard.”

  Henry looked over at the stove. “What is all this?”

  “Salisbury steak, rice, gravy and mixed vegetables,” she told him.

  “Can you come every day and cook for me?” he teased.

  Millie turned away. “I’ll cook for you whenever you like Henry.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Can I eat now?”

  She agreed and they made plates before moving to the table where Henry blessed the food. As usual, he waited for her to begin. When she paused, he lifted a brow.

  “What’s wrong Millie?” Henry asked.

  “I should tell you something…”

  Henry became concerned. “Tell me what?”

  Millie looked at him. “It’s about Bill.”

  She watched as Henry sat his fork down and pushed away from the table.

  Chapter 11

  Millie sat her own fork on the table and looked at Henry. His soulful brown eyes were curious as he sat at attention waiting for her to continue.

  “He came to my school, said he was thinking about taking some classes,” she explained slowly.

  Henry nodded watching her. “I don’t want to start any trouble,” Millie told him. “I’m only telling you because you asked me about him before.” Her heart was beating as she phrased her next words.

  “He asked me to dinner to talk about the Nursing program…”

  Henry knew there was more to this story. He hoped that it wouldn’t involve him getting his hands dirty with Bill because Lord knows that if he’d done something to upset Millie, it was a done deal.

  “I told him that I didn’t think that was a good idea,” she continued.

  Millie paused again, now worried about Henry’s silence as he simply lifted a dark brow.

  “He said that you pursued me because you knew that he was interested. Is that so Henry?” she asked confused.

  Henry leaned forward and took her hand gently. “No ma’am, that’s not true.” He lifted her face to his. “I pursued you because you’re the strongest, smartest and prettiest girl I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  “Yes, I knew Bill was interested but that didn’t matter after you smiled at me from the field. I realized then that Honey was amazing but I know now that Millie is incredible,” he finished stroking her soft cheek.

  “You’re being true to me, aren’t you Henry?” she questioned.

  “Yes ma’am.” He gave her a look. “Are you being true, Millie?”

  Millie moved closer. “I’ll always be true to you.”

  Henry helped her from her seat over to his lap. “Bill wants to be a problem. I’ve warned him already.”

  “I don’t think he’s going to go away Henry,” she whispered then looked up at him with wary eyes. “He grabbed me…”

  Millie watched Henry’s face turn from the fun loving country boy into a dangerous black man.

  “What did you say Millie?” he asked slowly.

  “I went to walk away and he grabbed my arm,” she explained.

  “Did he hurt you?” Henry demanded hotly.

  Millie flinched. “No, he just startled me. I told him to let me go and he did.”

  Henry took a moment to calm himself after seeing Millie’s reaction. He lifted a hand and touched her hairline. “I’m sorry. I promise you he won’t ever touch you again.”

  Her eyes widened. “What are you going to do Henry?”

  “Don’t worry your pretty little head. It’s fine.”

  Millie studied him slowly. “I don’t want to get you out of jail again Henry,” she warned him.

  “I’m not going to jail Millie,” he assured her.

  They stared at each other in a silent battle until Henry leaned over and kissed her slowly. Instinctively, Millie responded in return before Henry leaned her back across his arm, kissing her thoughts away. When he lifted his head she stared up at him.

  “Our food is getting cold.” Henry told her. “I don’t want to mess up this nice meal you made for me.”

  “I know what you’re doing.”

  He smiled. “What am I doing?”

  “You’re trying to distract me.”

  Henry kissed her again. “Is it working?”

  Millie ran a hand along the side of his handsome face. “Promise me that you’ll never do anything to lose your freedom. I can’t bear the thought of you behind some iron bars.”

  “Millie, the whole reason I came here was because there was nothing more important to me than to be able to live my life. I didn’t come here to be locked up like an animal.” Henry kissed her cheek. “I promised this pretty woman that I’m going to court her and then I’m going to take care of her for a long time.”

  Millie smiled slowly. “Okay, now you can distract me some more...”

  Henry proceeded to distract her a little while longer then they sat down and enjoyed the delicious meal Millie had prepared. He
nry smiled to himself as his stomach rejoiced. A pretty woman who could cook like this? Yes sir, he was definitely marrying this girl.

  After eating their meal and cleaning the kitchen, the couple retired to the sofa where Henry pulled Millie down with him. Lying atop him, she rested her chin in her palms and stared down into his face as he locked gazes with her.

  “How is work?” she asked after a while.

  “Fine,” he answered. “I was surprised to come home and find you.”

  Her eyes softened and she confessed, “I really did try to stay away, Henry.”

  “I never said you had to stay away Millie. I just said we couldn’t go on our date until after the overtime ended,” he explained placing his hands on her back above her bottom.

  Millie pressed closer into his body contentedly. Laying her head on his chest, she noticed the box on the floor.

  “You forgot about your package,” she reminded him.

  Henry looked over at the box. “It’s for you.”

  She lifted her head. “For me?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  She looked at the box then at Henry. “What did you get me?”

  “Why don’t you open it?” he told her.

  Millie loved surprises so she scrambled off the couch quickly then took a seat on the floor next to the box. “It’s like an early Christmas!” she said excitedly.

  Henry sat up on the sofa and watched her happy face. He laughed wondering how she could be this excited without even knowing what was in the box. Laughing, Millie removed the tape and opened the flaps before her hands flew to her mouth. “Henry!”

  Gently she retrieved the item on top and lovingly ran her hand over it. Turning back to him, she looked at him in amazement.

  “How did you know I wanted these?” she asked.

  “Miss Helen told me that these would help with your studies,” he explained. “So I guess she’s not all bad, huh?”

  Millie smirked. “The jury’s still out on that, but she was right about these.” She lifted the remaining items from the box.

  “I can’t believe you got me the American Journal of Nursing! Every issue from this year,” Millie said looking over all the copies. “I’m going to be the best nurse in the program with all this information!”

  “Something to keep you busy until I can take you out,” he told her.

  She smiled at him as she got to her feet. Millie came to stand in front of him, placing her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much Henry. You really don’t know what this mean to me,” she told him softly.