Today, it’s Friday Features and the Teegarner Blog is pleased to visit with:
T U M I K A P A T R I C E C A I N
Tumika Patrice Cain is an award-winning author and media personality. She writes in the women’s contemporary fiction and poetry genres, bringing messages of hope and empowerment to women. In addition, she is also a champion for indie authors and works tirelessly to coach, train, and create opportunities for exposure to those in the literary arena. Tumika is a respected book reviewer, editor, columnist and founder of Say What?? Book Club. She is also the CEO of Inkscriptions Publishing and Media Group. Her works have been featured in a number of publications and anthologies.
Tumika Patrice Cain is changing lives one word at a time…
Enjoy this excerpt from When a Man Loves a Woman: A Love Divine
Jacquie seemed moved by her performance. Michael was in tune to her every nuance. Poetry lover. Can appreciate deep thoughts. Good conversationalist, even if she does seem a little shy. The running checklist of her attributes was impressing him more by the minute.
Hours later as he walked her back to her car, they slowly strolled as if time didn’t exist. All they had was that moment and they wished it would last forever.
“To be honest, Jacquie, I wrestled with myself over whether to ask you for your phone number the day we met.”
“Why didn’t you?” He liked that she could be direct and shy intermittently, responding appropriately as each situation demanded. There was an innocence about her that he liked.
“Because sometimes you meet someone and you feel a connection, but you don’t take time to sit still and see what the universe is actually orchestrating. Sometimes it’s just something that you are supposed to give and receive for just that moment. Other times, it’s a business connect. Still, there are times when it’s so much more. But how do you ever know which way to go if you rush right into the first thing that comes to mind or to the first one who crosses your path? So I held my breath and let you pull off in that car, not knowing if I would ever see you again.”
The deepness of his voice fluttered over her senses, settling in her belly, making it do flip-flops. Whew! This man!! If he hadn’t been standing in front of her, she’d have fanned herself. Instead, she kept her facial expression neutral and gave him eye contact, nodding her head in agreement.
“I get it. What you said makes so much sense. I’ve never heard it put quite that way before, yet that is it, and it is so profound. I love your thoughts.” By now, they were at her car just leaned up against it taking in the whole atmosphere. The busy sounds of city life were all around them, even at eleven o’clock at night. Horns beeped. Snatches of conversations could be heard. Shopping carts from homeless passersby squeaked by. It was perfect.
“So check it out. I like you and I want to get to know you better. You game?” There was no mistaking who he was talking to. His pointed gaze held her captive. He was very sincere, yet cool, leaned up against her car with his legs crossed at the ankles, hands stuck deep into the pockets of his jeans. No pressure. If she had said no, it would have still been just as easy between them.
“Yeah, I’m game.” Her voice was a bit of a whisper. He grinned and stuck his hand deeper into his pockets. The sweetness of her response and the look on her face made him want to pull her close and kiss her, but it was too soon. Jacquie was a delicate flower, and he would treat her with the respect a lady deserves. Nothing less.
“Cool.” He received a shy smile in response.
“I have a question.”
“Yeah?”
“How old are you?”
He chuckled before answering. “Does it matter?”
“Not really. I was just curious.”
“I’m 25.” She gulped, glanced away, but said nothing. Dang! He’s not gonna want to hang anymore once he finds out how old I am. I’d better just put it on the table and get it over with. She braced herself then spit it out. If he was going to have an issue with her age, it was better to know it up front rather than to waste a bunch of time and emotions.
“Michael, I’m 37.” She looked at him directly, waiting on him to say something, but he never did. So she said, “Do you still want to get to know me better?”
“Am I still standing here?” She smiled sweetly in response, chuckling a little to herself, but said nothing. Good! I think this one is a keeper, she thought. This could have played out either way, but she was secretly glad it worked in the affirmative. Although it was a new connect, there was something about him that made her want to see just how far they could take it, age differences be damned.
Who is this beautiful woman with all the sex appeal of a Victoria Secrets model, yet the innocence of a schoolgirl still young enough to wear tights and ponytails? Michael wondered silently to himself. He couldn’t wait to find out.
Be sure to connect with Tumika on her Social Media homes:
Social Media links:
