by AliyahBurke
“What happened, Terrance? You trip and fall, happening to slip your dick inside her? Must have been one hell of a fall to manage, having her naked and waiting for you. I’m not naïve. You won’t change. Goodbye, Terrance.”
“How about one last time? Just for old time’s sake.” He reached out and caressed the side of her face, her insides quivered like she knew they would. That man had wicked hands.
“I believe she asked you to leave.” A deep and dangerous voice broke into the conversation.
It was Gavin. Dressed only in blue jeans. Those jeans rode low on his trim hips, exposing the very top of the waistband of his boxers. His body stood there all lean and hard, easily backing up the warning in his voice. Eyes were formed from blue lightning. He appeared pissed at the sight of another man touching her, but Sanura knew it couldn’t be true for they barely knew each other. No matter how much she wished it was the case.
There existed a man who could handle himself. He was a man that made Sanura’s mouth go dry and every fiber in her being stand up and beg to be noticed, from the hair on top of her head to the soles of her feet. She lusted after him in a way she never felt about Terrance.
A bomb could have gone off and Sanura would have continued studying his magnificent body. A light dusting of blond hair covered his tanned chest before tapering down and disappearing into the waistband of his jeans. His hair was still wet from his shower. The smell of fresh soap filled her nose. Dear God in heaven, that man was magnificent. His six-pack was there like it stood up and said, Ba-BAM—here I am.
“Who the hell is he? Don’t tell me you are sleeping with a white man?”
“She doesn’t have to tell you anything.” Gavin moved smoothly in his sensuous way to Sanura’s side. “She asked you to leave. I’m telling you to.”
“Sanura? You gonna let whitey do me like this?”
“Goodbye, Terrance.”
A nasty sneer crossed his face. “Probably why you got beat up. Trying the new slave girl routine?”
Gavin stepped up. Placed himself right in Terrance’s face. “Watch your mouth, asshole. Someone needs to teach you some manners.”
“You offerin’, white boy?”
“No time like the present.”
Anger rose off him like vapor. Sanura could tell Gavin was spoiling to hit this guy; the veins in his neck were standing out. He had a tick in his cheek.
“No. Gavin. Let him go.” Sanura touched his bare arm and felt the tension .
“Worried I might beat him, Sanura?”
“No, Terrance. I am worried he will kill you. Leave, Terrance. Now.”
With a scoff, Terrance stomped down the steps, muttering under his breath. Whatever he said, she knew it wasn’t anything nice. Sanura shut the door after him.
When she turned around she found those piercing eyes were on her once again. She noticed the darker rim of blue around the lighter color of the iris made them look even more intense. She was between him and the door and found there was nowhere else she would rather be.
Those arms of steel settled themselves on either side of her. Trapping her. She could see water droplets on his chest as if he never fully dried off from his shower. He smelled so good. If she hadn’t been weak before she sure was now.
“Sanura.” Her name was spoken softly as if giving her time to object. Those arms bent, like he was doing a push up and brought his face in closer.
His cerulean gaze fell to her lips. She felt her tongue sneak out to moisten them as they suddenly felt very dry. That made the blue of his eyes deepen with desire. He lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. Can we say fireworks? Sparks? Electricity?
Her knees weakened and, as she began to slide down the door, he was there. His lower body pressed up against hers, his thick thigh wedged between her cotton covered legs as his damp chest soaked her shirt. One hand cupped her face as he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid in between her lips and teeth. Once it stroked hers she knew there was no going back.
With previous boyfriends it had almost been a game. A testament to their bedroom prowess. Could they please her first and better than her others? With Gavin it was like hearing angels sing. If this is what a kiss did, if they did anything else she would likely perish. But what a way to go.
She kissed him back. Dueling with his tongue, she barely registered her hands had wound fully into his wet hair, pulling his mouth more firmly against her own.
Gavin’s other hand roamed—with a definite purpose—to her butt, pushing their pelvises closer together, allowing her to feel the proof of his desire. Then his large hand moved up to cover her breast, squeezing gently, eliciting a moan from her mouth only to be captured by his.
His eyes opened and, as he looked down at her, he dropped his hand from her breast and began to pull back.
“No. Not like this,” he said to her lips as he stopped kissing her succulent mouth.
Sanura opened her eyes at his withdrawal and words. Her gaze bore into his. “What do you mean, not like this?” It may have been a while for her but she was pretty sure this is how things went.
“Not with you like this.”
Well, fuck, he sure knew how to kill a mood. Her attitude jumped from nonexistent—take-me-I’m-all-yours to full fledged raging diva bitch. “What is that supposed to mean?” She pushed at his chest.
It was like a fly shoving the Great Wall of China. He didn’t go anywhere except come closer, proving how futile she was against his enormous strength.
“I mean, not with you having gone through what you did.” He lowered his head back down to hers and placed little kisses around her lips. “When this happens—and believe me, I do mean when, not if—I want you completely healthy. Because I plan on keeping you up all night and then some. You aren’t ready for that yet.”
The words made her body tingle in all the right places again. She was willing to give it her best shot. Her eyebrow arched as she asked with enough attitude to let him know she wasn’t pleased with the situation, “What makes you think I will want this again later? For all you know this was a one-time offer.”
His mouth hovered right by her ear when he hissed, “There is nothing one time about us. When are you going to realize that?” He nipped her ear, making all those delicious shivers return to her midsection. “I know you will want this later.”
Headlights swung into the driveway, making them both realize Allison had finally arrived home. With a look saying they were in no way finished, Gavin headed back down the hall to put some more clothes on while an out of breath Sanura tried to control her heart rate. He was right, it would be near impossible to have only a one-time thing with him. Sanura walked outside to help Allison bring in the food from the restaurant.
Allison noticed her eyes running over her Yukon and shook her head. “Nothing happened to your baby. Damn, girl, I do know how to drive.” There was false offense in her voice.
“I know, but you drive one of those little cars. This is my baby.”
“I wouldn’t hurt it. How are you feeling?”
Hot. Horny. Desiring the man you let stay here. “Much better. I slept for the day after my shower. I have only been up for maybe an hour. Still sore, but I can handle that. It also looks like my bruises are fading so hopefully I don’t scare anyone.”
“Well, I don’t know if you are hungry, but I am assuming Gavin will be. I don’t think he would have taken food from the fridge even though we said he could. Let’s go feed that man of yours.”
Man of yours. Had such a nice ring to it. Sanura picked up one of the packages and led the way into the house. As they entered Gavin was coming back into the living room.
He had combed his hair and put on a shirt. Such a shame. It was a dark green shirt and it was untucked for once. His usual boots were on his feet.
“Good evening, Allison.” His voice may have been for her but his eyes were all upon Sanura.
“Evening, Gavin. Did she behave for you?”
“Slept most of the day.�
�
“Good. I brought food, figured you would be hungry.”
“Starved.” Again those eyes flared with something primal as they ran over Sanura with possession and a lingering promise, telling her it wasn’t the food he was hungry for.
* * * *
They had sat down for dinner when the doorbell chimed again. Allison went to get it. It was everyone from work. They all filed in and gave Sanura hugs and kisses while dropping off more flowers and food.
They apologized for not coming sooner and backed up Allison in telling her to stay home for a while.
Sanura nodded. “Fine. I will stay home for a bit. Tony, get your son to do the deliveries. He has done them before and so will. . .”
“Mac. We have already figured it out. We will survive with you home for a few days,” Allison reprimanded her.
“You know how she is, Ali. Can’t let anything happen without her,” Tony said and got nods from everyone else in the room. But their eyes were filled with love and more than a little concern.
Gavin was blown away by the closeness of the group. Most businesses weren’t this close with everyone. Maybe one or two people, but not the whole thing. They were like family, maybe even closer. As he looked closer at the group he saw all different ethnicities among them. Black, white, Asian, Hispanic and more. No one person in that group cared about the color of another one’s skin. Their love for each other shone past the color issue.
The crew didn’t stay long although it was plain as day they didn’t want to leave.
* * * *
The trio finished dinner and retired to the living room. The room was a mismatch of items. Colorful throw pillows and afghans were tossed on overstuffed chairs and couches.
Sanura cried off early and headed for her bed. Moments after she had climbed in a knock came at her door. “It’s me.” Allison said.
“Come on in.”
She stuck her head in. “Came to ask you something.”
“Well, you have me cornered in bed, so I ain’t going anywhere. What’s up?”
“Where’s Gavin?” Allison took a seat in one of the chairs in the room.
Sanura raised that brow. “You came into my room to ask me where Gavin was? What? You think I have him hiding under the covers?” What a lovely idea.
“No, I was wondering where he was.”
Another knock. “Am I interrupting?” That blondish head stuck itself in.
“Might as well be Grand Central Station here. I guess sleep is out of the question for me right now. Come on in. Something you need to ask me as well?”
“Actually no. I brought your medication.” He held out the pill bottle and a glass of water.
“Grab a seat.” She slanted an eye at Allison. “Unless this is a private conversation.”
“No. He can stay. I don’t mind.” Allison smiled at Gavin as he handed over the pills and water.
After Sanura took her meds and drank some water, Gavin sat. Not on a chair like Allison was, but right on the bed beside Sanura, as if he belonged there. It was a king-sized bed, but he took up way more than his share.
Gavin’s hand caressed her face to check for fever. That done, he captured one of Sanura’s hands and intertwined their fingers. Situated and content, he turned his baby blues toward Allison, who had been watching the whole thing with a smile on her face.
Sanura glared at the smile Allison tried hard to control. She pulled on her hand, trying to get it back from Gavin with no luck. Gavin soothingly rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand, and Sanura finally gave in and let him have his way. His eyes sparkled when she stopped fighting him and accepted his touch.
“Well, Sanura, because I have known you forever and you are the only sister I could ever want, I am asking you to be the godmother of my child.” She closed her mouth before blushing and adding a, “Please?”
Sanura blinked back tears. Must be the meds to make her tear up so much. “Of course I will. I would be honored. But are you sure you would want someone with my past as a godmother?”
“I can think of no one I would want more, or would ever trust more to take care of my child, should I not be able to. You are my only family, Sanura. You know that. What happened in the past holds no relevance to me. I never believed any of it anyway.”
Gavin listened to the conversation but remained silent, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. With a hug shared between the two women Allison left the room, leaving her alone in her bed with her cowboy.
“Well. I’ll go too and let you get some sleep. I will see you in the morning. Nice wet spots on your shirt,” he murmured. Gavin leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her mouth before he rose and left the room. Sanura groaned, smacking herself on the forehead and then wincing from pain as she realized Allison had seen them and would have had a very good idea where they came from.
Sanura’s dreams were haunted by a blue-eyed, blondish haired man who had a walk that made her knees shake and a body that took her breath away. A man that kissed her like she had never been kissed before.
Four days later, Sanura woke earlier than usual. The green digital numbers on her clock placed the time near five. Sanura rose and stretched to get the kinks out. Some mild soreness remained but she didn’t expect anything less. A summer storm had rolled in and was blanketing the city with its cleansing rain. She needed to get out.
Dressing for the weather, Sanura snuck out of her room and headed down the hall. Staying quiet as she passed the other two rooms that contained sleepers, she put on her shoes and opened the door, slipping silently out the screen door. Her hair fell free and she tipped her head back and smelled the air, enjoying the scent only the rain can bring. A walk was what the doctor ordered. Well, what she wanted.
Before her foot could hit the first step down, a deep voice reached her ears, “And just where in the hell did you think you were going?”
Barely succeeding in suppressing her scream, she spun and found a fully dressed Gavin sitting in a wicker chair, with his feet propped up on the railing, looking entirely at home on her porch. “What are you doing awake?”
“Answer my question first. Where do you think you are going?” Boots hit the ground and, in one smooth movement, he gained his feet, moving all six-plus feet of fineness towards her.
“I was going for a walk. Enjoy the rain and all,” she spoke with not only determination but a need to do this.
His eyes searched hers and he nodded. “Let’s go then.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am going with you. Allison told me of your penchant for leaving early to walk. She came to my room one night and filled me in.”
Allison was in his room? Why did that make her feel anger and jealousy? As if he knew what she was thinking, a smug grin crossed his face.
“Nothing happened. She said she was too tired to get up with you and follow to make sure you would be okay. So I woke up and waited for you. Every morning I have been here in case you tried this.”
“Maybe I don’t want to walk now.” Sanura suddenly felt snappish.
“Come on. We will drive and take a walk on the beach, what do you say?” That tan hand reached for her and, before she had anytime to think it over, she saw herself taking it.
Moments later they were driving through the light rain in his fabulous ride towards the beach. Light classical music filled the interior of the car. The softness created a nice background for the rain. Sanura stayed silent and let him pick where to go. It was such a nice feeling for once. To have someone else care for you.
She sat up fully as he pulled into a small coffee shop. “What are you doing?”
“Getting us some coffee. How do you take it?”
“Black. Two sugars.”
A smirk crossed his face. “Same as me. Be right back.” He put the car in park and slid out into the light rain. Moments later he was back with the coffee and a bag. “I got you a bagel as well.”
“Thanks.” She took the items and held them on her lap. O
ut of the corner of her eye she watched him as he got them back on the road.
Even this early in the morning he looked amazing. His face was smooth so she knew he had shaved when he woke, and his aftershave gently intermingled with the air. This morning he wore a black shirt, which fit tight around his arms and torso, blue jeans and his boots. Sure as shittin’ don’t look like a boy whose mama is filthy rich. He looks almost regular-like. Still, he wears those jeans like nobody’s business, he doesn’t need a suit to look fucking hot.
Gavin pulled into a large empty lot. At five forty-five on a rainy predawn weekend there weren’t many people out. Turning off the engine, he took his cup of coffee from her and one bagel before getting out. Before Sanura even unbuckled her lap belt, Gavin was opening her car door. The rain had gentled to a light mist.
As he assisted her out of the glossy ride she took a deep breath. She loved the ocean. The salt water and the smells one found at the beach filled her nose and brought with them a sense of peace. Lingering in her mind was the recognition of the sense of smell she had come to label as “Gavin.” Together, in companionable silence, they walked down the boardwalk. The sun was trying to break through the clouds, so it could light the day.
* * * *
Gavin stopped and looked down at the woman beside him. Barely reaching his chin, she had a fire that burned within her that affected him in ways he couldn’t even begin to understand.
“Where do you want to walk? Along the water?”
Sanura looked at her surroundings and found a pier a short ways down the beach. “The pier.”
“Pier it is.”
They walked slowly as they ate their bagels and drank their coffee. The mist was hanging in her hair so it gave of the appearance of diamonds surrounding her face. The pier was a mile long. They listened to the waves crashing on the shore along with the screaming gulls that flew above them. Gavin noticed the way her body moved. Lithe and crazy, as it seemed, almost in tune with the ocean itself. At the end of the pier, Sanura leaned on the rail at a corner and looked out into the vastness of the ocean.
“Tell me about you.” Gavin’s large shoulders settled next to hers as he reached out in front of him and gently cradled his coffee between their strength.