Forever Mine Box Set (BWWM, African American, Interracial,and Multicultural) by Erica Storm

to find out if she has an adversary,” I said knowing he wants to confess to her. Maybe to pay her back for her cold and calculating treatment or he truly loves me. I needed to know to feel comfortable in our relationship, because Alecia is threatening my relationship with Matt by showing up after a year, and he rushing to her leaving me.
    “Baby,” he says searching my eyes, holding my chin up. “I don’t think she’s that diabolical.” She might be far worse, I thought. I didn’t say anymore but I knew when she showed up in San Francisco that it would be to disrupt Matthew’s life and mine. And sure enough it has.
    *** 
    T he next morning, Matthew kissed me and left early for his office. I stretched and yawned from the all night obscene sexual playfulness, which I have come to enjoy with him. His apartment building has a gym, and there is equipment in one of the large bedrooms I use when I don’t have time to go to the gym. Now I’m in shape and I feel great. Then I hear a knock at the door. No classes today and I was planning on sleeping late. I needed time to get my mind together. I really didn’t want the maids and cooks around all the time. I felt their eyes watching me and whispering. 
    I threw on a one of the many silk robes Matthew brought me as a present. He wants me to look nice walking around the house. It was more of a convenience for him when he returns from work. I didn’t know why it mattered because I was naked most of the time. Perhaps it was times like these. When the house keeper forgets her keys.
    Sauntering to the door, I opened it, and there stood Alecia. With my mouth open, my eyes large and the door ajar, she steps to the side of me and marches in.
    “Well, well, well” she says looking around walking from the foyer into the large living area. “I was wondering who I would find with Matt. I thought when he said you were living with him that he was lying and trying to hurt me. But I should have known he wouldn’t lie about something as obvious as this.” I turn stunned meeting her blue eyes.
    Why would he admit to our being together? This bothered me. Did he do it to make her jealous?
    “Are you going to ask me to sit? You’re now the woman of the house, or are you versed on the civilities that your privileged income has afforded you? Maybe you can’t adjust to being a woman of a wealthy man.”
    “I’ve learned all I need to know about social behavior of rich men and their bitchy ex wives and girlfriends. I got a good lesson in boarding school. Compliments of Matthew.” I wave my hand pointing, and she sits on the sofa in front of the panoramic window overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
    I don’t know why I invited her in or why I’m being civil. Maybe it was because of Matt. I’d sooner kick her ass and be done with it. Sitting across from her I clear my throat and say, “What do you want Alecia?”
    “I want my husband back.” Her remark shot chills through me but it didn’t surprise me.
    “I’m not keeping him from you. You can try to get him back whenever you want. I think you made a try at it yesterday,” I said pulling at the fabric on the chair, hoping Alecia didn’t see how nervous she made me.
    “You have me all wrong. When I’m ready for Matt, I will get him back. I’m letting him use you up, so to speak. Get you out of his system. After all, he had only me in his life for eighteen years."
    “Not all those years were devoted to you,” I said with a smile. She appears nervous when I say that. I notice that her crossed leg and foot begin to shake.
    “Would you like some coffee? I think I need some.” I didn’t wait for a reply. “You’re up early. I’ve never known you to be up this early before,” I said with a raised eyebrow, and not waiting for a response before heading to the kitchen, and dropping in two pods for two cups of coffee, and holding on to the counter to keep from falling.
    When I enter the vast living area, Alecia is standing looking