by Tracy Reed
“Yes.”
“I told you, my personal life is nobody’s business.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Unless I misunderstood you, it is my life in question. More specifically, it’s my personal life.”
“I have watched you over the years judge each one of us and when we show a little concern about you, all we get is this patent my personal life is no one’s business answer.”
“I don’t owe you or anyone else a reason why I broke up with Bas. If you and anyone else want to know why, ask him.” She leaned back in her chair.
“I don’t know about anyone else but I did ask Bas, and he said to ask you.”
“Typical.” She smirked and shook her head.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Dionne, why do you care? Bas and I are done.”
“Okay, let’s talk about your new man.”
“What’s your problem with Jackson?”
“Apart from his being, smug, condescending, arrogant, controlling, and just plain creepy, not much.”
She nodded. “Is that what everyone thinks?”
“I don’t know about anyone else, but speaking for me and Quentin, we don’t like him.”
“I see.” She sipped her wine. “Let me tell…”
I held my hand up. “Please, I don’t want to hear his resume. He’s a jerk.” Oh crap, that slipped out.
“Excuse me?”
I sighed. “I don’t think he’s good for you.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know, maybe because he’s constantly saying negative things and putting you down. I think he’s jealous.”
“Jealous,” she laughed. “That’s rich. Why would he be jealous of me? Do you know who his father is?”
“No.”
“His father is Clarence Young.”
“So.”
“He has one of the most prominent law practices in the city.”
“Good for him, but that doesn’t…”
“Jackson is nothing like Bas.”
“You got that right.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Character…integrity…Bas has something Jackson will never have.”
“Jackson has both of those things and more. He’s his own man. He’s not hanging on someone else’s coat tails. His future is set.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Bas is content being Alex’s lap dog. The way he follows her and Moses around is pathetic. I can’t believe I was with such a weak man.”
“Weak? You think Bas is weak?”
“Yes. He’s afraid to breathe without Alex’s permission.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My ears were bleeding. “Where is all of this coming from?”
“It’s the truth, but none of you can see it. Alex runs Bas. Jackson doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do anything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you know Alex was seeing someone?”
“What?”
“Did you know Alex was seeing Moses?”
“No.”
“Bas did, and he never told me.”
“So?”
“Don’t you think that’s a little strange? I was his girlfriend and he never told me Alex was seeing someone.”
“Is that why you broke up with him?”
“Not entirely.”
“So he didn’t tell you his boss was seeing someone. Get over it.”
“It’s a trust thing. He didn’t trust me to keep a secret.”
Then it hit me. “I see what’s going on. You’re jealous of Bas’ relationship with Alex.”
“What? That’s absurd.”
“No, it’s the truth. You’re jealous. Alex and Bas are like sister and brother, that’s all. They have a relationship none of us, even you, will ever have with him.”
“Don’t make excuses for him.”
“I’m not. It’s the truth.”
“Jackson said if Bas loved me the way he claimed to, he wouldn’t have hid that from me.”
“We’ll Jackson’s an idiot.” I sighed. “Did it ever occur to you that Bas was following an order from his boss? No. It’s the same with your staff. How many times have you told them, what happens in the kitchen and behind the scenes isn’t for the customers to know?”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“It’s exactly the same thing.”
Her phone rang. She picked it up and pressed Answer Call. “Hey, can I call you back…yes…about an hour…okay.” She pressed the button ending the call. “Are we done?”
“Are you still in love with Bas?”
“I’m with Jackson now.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“What difference does it make? I’ve…we’ve moved on.”
“It’s sad.”
“What’s sad?”
“You.”
“Me?” She half laughed. “I’m not sad.”
“You’re not happy.”
“Are you finished?”
“What happened to you? A few months ago you were talking about opening a restaurant in Atlanta and now…”
“Jackson felt the timing wasn’t right.”
“Jackson?”
“I was going to call Quentin, but I can tell you. I need to re-evaluate my marketing and publicity budget. I think there are some less expensive ways to promote the restaurant. I need to be wise and not exhaust too much on marketing. Good word of mouth is more effective than a color ad.”
“Let me guess, Jackson?”
“Yes. He’s presented me with some ideas that may work.”
“Uh-huh. I’ll relay the message. Is there anything else?”
“Not unless there’s something else you want to voice your opinion on.”
I looked at the woman sitting across from me and it was as if I were looking at a stranger. I didn’t know this Kendell. This Kendell was reciting the idiotic words of her insecure boyfriend. The girls were right, Bas was better off without her.
“I’m done.” I knew she probably thought I meant I was finished with this conversation, but I was done with her. Although I wanted to take away my friendship, I couldn’t because I knew when she realized Jackson wasn’t the man she thought he was and he broke her heart, I’d be there for her just as I always was.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Alex
* * *
THE RIDE HOME WAS QUIET and thick with emotion, and I was regretting not taking Moses up on his suggestion to stay at the hotel.
I closed my eyes and rested my head against the headrest trying not to think about all the things I wanted him to do to me.
Suddenly, I felt his hot hand on my knee and a heat surge traveled the length of my body. Now my beautiful low cut cocktail dress felt like a straight jacket. He inched his hand up my thigh, and I felt a smile rise on my face. He moved his hand up further and my mind filled with a few wild possibilities.
He inched his hand further up my thigh under the suspender strap and my breath caught. His hot finger danced along my upper thigh and my mind went back to his words. Not the ones he read tonight, but the ones in the many love notes he’d given me. I grabbed the side of the seat trying not to give in to my body. I licked my lips savoring the feel of his hand finger dancing along my thigh.
His hand grazed the edge of my knickers and I almost came undone. The mere fact that his finger was so close to my sweet spot excited me even more.
His large hand was hidden under the full bottom of my beautiful dress teasing, and taunting me with the possibility of something more. I swallowed hard at the thought that he might do that finger thing that I enjoy, and I grabbed his hand.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked in his deep sexy voice as he squeezed my thigh and my breath caught.
“I…I…”
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
It felt like I was in distress. I could b
arely breathe with his hand so close to my sweet spot. I couldn’t believe I was actually considering letting him…
The car stopped moving. I opened my eyes, looked out the window and saw we were still a few minutes away from home. I inhaled, looked at him, and smiled.
Moses leaned close, kissed my neck and asked, “What do you want?”
I grabbed his thigh and smiled. “Take me home.”
The light changed and he floored the gas.
We pulled into the driveway and Moses got out, walked around and opened my door. I took his hand and slowly climbed out. I conveniently left my bag on the floor knowing when I bent down, it would excite him to see the top of my stockings and suspender straps. When I stood up, I backed against him and his body spoke volumes. I turned around and looked up at him.
He slid his hands around my waist, backed me up against the open car door, and took my mouth in a kiss so hard and deep, it felt like his tongue was tickling my tonsils. He grabbed my behind, pressed me against him and kissed me harder. I couldn’t believe we were in our front yard kissing like two wild teenagers. Nor could I believe I almost let him do that finger thing to me in the car.
He pulled back, walked me to the front door and I stumbled into the house. I walked over to the bottom of the stairs and looked up. That was a lot of stairs to climb when every little step I took sent a charge to my nether region. How did he expect me to walk after what almost happened in the car and that kiss?
I took my dress off and left it at the bottom of the stairs, and walked up to our bedroom.
When Moses stopped at the door, he held up my dress. “I like your breadcrumb,” he said, followed by a wolfish smile. He stepped inside, placed my dress on the chaise along with his jacket and started towards, me. The closer he got to me, the faster my heart raced.
I pressed the remote and suddenly music surrounded the space. He looked like a lion stalking his prey. Every step was slow and calculated. My mind scanned the menu of things I wanted to do with him and to him. He stepped closer and I could barely breathe. My beautiful black lace and silk bra and knickers felt like a straight jacket. My body was on fire, and the only thing that could cool me down was his touch.
He stepped closer, gently stroked the side of my arm and I began to crack. His words from the reading were on a constant loop in my head and I was so aroused, I thought if he called my name, I’d lose it. I needed to hold on just a little longer. He walked around me, stopped, brushed my hair to the side, and pressed his hot lips on my neck. That was my number one trigger. Every time he kissed me there, a wave of pleasure engulfed my body sending me into a tail spin. I leaned back against his chest and he eased his hand around my waist as he continued to nuzzle my neck. I let out a deep moan.
“Baby…uhm…”,
He kissed my shoulder. “You’re beautiful.” The heat of his breath floated into my ear along with his words. “What do you want?”
What do I want? I want you to make love to me like it was the first time…slow and hard, until I get hoarse from calling out your name. But first there was something I wanted to do.
I turned around, unbuttoned his shirt and when I reached the last button, I opened the shirt and kissed his chest. He tasted salty and spicy. He slipped his hands around my waist and I brushed them away, and shook my head. “Not yet.”
He leaned back. “Not yet?”
I smiled and shook my head. I kissed his flat nipple and was treated to a deep gasp. He lifted my face and took my mouth in a hard kiss. I eased my hands around his waist, pulled him to me, and slid my hands down his behind. He kissed me harder, eased his hands inside my knickers, caressing my behind.
I pulled back and looked deep in those gorgeous eyes. “Does he know my life changed the moment he kissed my hand? Does he know his kiss is the only one I remember? Does he know his voice is calming? Does he know when he smiles I feel safe?” I brushed the side of his face. “Does he know his touch excites me? Does he know how much I love him? Does he know I noticed him long before he said ‘hello’?”
He crushed his lips against mine, kissing me deep and hard. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself against his hard body. He picked me up like on our wedding night, placed me in the center of the bed, and I watched him finish undressing. I grew more excited as pieces of his beautiful muscular body were revealed. I closed my eyes briefly and when I opened them, he was completely naked. The sight of his beautiful naked body on full display almost sent me over the edge. I desperately wanted him nestled between my thighs taking us to the promised land.
He parted my legs, ran his hot fingers along the inside of my thighs, and I almost crashed. I clutched the sheets trying to hold on, but I was too close to exploding. I wanted him on top of me…inside of me. I wanted us to act out his words together.
He kissed the inside of my thigh, and I felt a wave a passion rise from my feet along my legs to my thighs, and I grabbed the sheets tighter. Oh, God! What was he doing to me? It was like he was trying to make me suffer. I closed my eyes, trying not to think about how badly I wanted to let go.
His hot finger danced along the lace edge of my knickers and I began breathing harder. He eased up the inside of my thighs, and his obvious arousal brushed the inside of my thigh. I wrapped my legs around his waist. I needed him to stay in that spot and give me what I wanted…him. He whispered, “What do you want?”
“I…I…I want you…to…make love…to me…like…you did…on paper.” I could barely get the words out. He unwrapped my legs, slid his large hot hand inside my black lace knickers, and I arched up. His hand moved deeper teasing my dark curls.
“It is my desire to pleasure you.” He announced as his fingers teased me.
“Off…take them off,” I begged.
“No.”
No. I was on fire and I wanted him to give me relief. His large hand barely fit inside my delicate lace knickers. I was growing more agitated. “Please baby, take them off.” My body was writhing and my skin was on fire. I knew if I moved, I’d come undone, and I really wanted him to take that ride with me. He took my nipple in his mouth and I cried out.
“You taste sweet and spicy. I could sup from your breasts everyday and never get full.”
He continued teasing me with his other hand and I felt myself tighten. “Baby…ple…please…I …I…I…want…”
He gently bit down on my nipple and I lost it. My orgasm came hard. I pressed his hand down on my sweet spot and I began to shake. He moved his finger slightly, and it felt like my orgasm had been given a second, extended life. I cried out as I lay there shaking.
He slowly removed his finger and I felt his hands on my legs, but I couldn’t move. He slipped my knickers off, eased up to my ear and asked, “Ready for more?”
All I could do was nod yes.
He pulled my legs apart and buried himself deep inside me. The pressure rose slowly with each push. I needed more. It was like he was reading my mind. He lowered his face, captured my hard peak between his teeth, and gently pulled until I cried out. I was beginning to soar again. He pushed deeper and suddenly, he stopped.
I tried to touch him, but he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head. “Please baby…” He kissed me harder and started our ride again. The rhythm was slow and steady, and then the tightness took over. I was on the ledge ready to jump.
“Not yet.”
He released my hands and I was finally able to touch his smooth dark skin. I grabbed his behind and pushed him deeper. I needed the friction, I needed him to join me. “Harder.” He seemed surprised by my request. He smiled, braced himself and fulfilled my request. God, he felt good. The steady ride sped up, and I dug my fingers deep into his skin and tightened around him. I felt the wave of pleasure rising. “Oh, God Moses!”
“Hold on baby.”
He lifted my hips, pushed deeper and that was it. I couldn’t hold it any longer. I needed him to let me go. Suddenly he stopped moving. What the crap! “Baby…don’t…I…”
“Baby, take me with you.” He lifted my legs and gently tugged on my nipple between his teeth.
“Oh, Damn!” My orgasm hit hard and I fell back against the bed taking him with me. I was spent. We lay still wrapped in each other’s arms, shaking and wet.
When the tremors stopped, Moses tried to get up. and I pulled him back. The weight of his heavy body pressed against my swollen breasts and hard nipples was painful, but it was also very pleasurable. I brushed the beads of sweat on his temple. “I like the way you express yourself,” I teased.
He raised up slightly, looked at me and smiled. “You inspire me.”
“Am I your muse?”
“If you’re asking do you push me to go deeper,” we laughed. “Then yes, you are.” He rolled over and pulled me on top of his chest. We lay still trying to catch our breath. “I have a confession, the man…in the book…is me and…the woman…is…you.”
“Kinda…already knew…that…honey.”
“You’re not…mad I sort of broke…a rule?” He glided his hand down my back caressing my behind.
“No.” My breathing was slowing down. “I think it’s romantic…and sexy that you felt…comfortable…to share so much of yourself with me…and your readers.”
“That’s what Spencer said, but he didn’t use the word sexy when he insisted on meeting you.”
“What?”
“When I heard he was on his way to Alaska, I told him we could meet later, but he insisted on meeting you. He said he had to meet the woman who inspired those words.”
“Really?”
“No.” I playfully socked him. “What he said was, she must be pretty special, because it’s starting to show in my work and he wanted to meet the woman that changed my life.”
“He did?”
“Yep. He said she sounds a lot like my wife.”
“Now you’re just messing with me.”
“No. Have I told you about Spencer’s wife?”
“No.”
“She’s the one who found my book and told Spencer he’d be a fool if he didn’t buy it. She was very strong willed, opinionated, and very independent. She said I was the son they never had. She took me under her wing and became my editor. That’s why I wanted you to meet him. He’s sort of like my grandfather.”