by AliyahBurke
Boyle cut him off with a wave of the hand. “What is going on with you, Rawlins? You know you are treading on thin ice to get your partnership. The board members are talking about you seeing that delivery girl. It has begun to worry them and they are blaming you for the slowdown in Morris’ money. Is a roll in the sack with a black girl worth it?”
Gavin’s eyes flared dangerously. “Watch how you talk about her. You can take this firm and your partnership and shove it up your fat white ass. I wouldn’t be a partner now if you offered me triple what I would make. Now you can’t use me as an excuse for Morris being slow with his money. My personal life is of no concern to this place. Yes, I am seeing her. And she owns that place, she is not a delivery girl. I’m leaving this place today. I’m starting up my own firm.”
Boyle’s face grew mottled with rage. “You won’t get any work in this city. Regardless of whom your mother is.”
“I already do. I have a partner and our first client. You might have heard of him. Richard Harris.” Gavin leaned in close over the desk and spoke low and with a menacing edge to his words. “Don’t ever let me hear you spoke ill of Sanura in any way. I will ruin you, you racist fuck!”
Gavin and Clint turned and walked out, pausing only for Clint to yell over his shoulder, “I quit as well.” They shut the door on the curses that rolled off Boyle’s tongue.
After he entered his office and put his few personal belongings into a box, there came a knock on the door. “Enter.” At those words Gavin saw his secretary enter the room.
“Sir, I was wondering if you are leaving, would you still need a secretary?” Her pale fingers twisted nervously in the pleats of her skirt.
“Are you saying you want to come work for Clint and myself, Janice?”
“Yes, sir. If you would have me, that is.”
With a grin that shocked Janice, even more since she had never seen him smile for all the years she worked for him—not a single time—he answered, “Welcome aboard. Grab your stuff, we are leaving.”
Janice smiled in return and went and picked up her purse and a photo she had. When Gavin walked out of his old office she said, “I’m ready.” They waited for Clint and took the elevator down and walked up the block to a two-story building that had a ‘sold’ sticker across the ‘for sale’ sign.
It was spacious with a welcoming entry area and there were two large offices for the men. Fresh paint smell filled the air and new furniture for the lobby was being unloaded as they entered. Soon they were all settled into their new offices when Janice buzzed Gavin’s phone.
“Yes, Janice?”
“Sir, there is a gentleman here to see you. Mr. Richard Harris.”
“Send him in please, Janice.”
“Right away, sir.”
“Thank you, Janice.” Moments later the man himself walked in through the door.
“Nice new building you got for yourself, son.”
“Thank you, sir. First day here. What can I do for you?”
“Just stopped by to see how things were progressing and wondering where that woman of yours was.”
“Things for your building are right on schedule. Sanura is at work. Is there something you needed to see her about?” Why was this man so interested in Sanura? And why did it rub him so wrong? The man was old enough to be her father but Gavin didn’t like it.
“No. Well, I think I shall be going. Glad you finally left that place, son; it wasn’t doing you any good.” Harris left quickly.
* * * *
Sanura was sitting in the back with loads of paperwork when there came a knock at the door. “It’s open, come on in.” When she looked up she saw Richard Harris standing in the doorway. A little taken back he would be here, she rose and waved her hand towards a chair. “Please take a seat. What can I do for you, Mr. Harris?”
He sat down gracefully and looked at her for a bit. “I was wondering how you met Mr. Rawlins.”
“I don’t believe it’s any of your business.”
“I just came from seeing him. At his new office, very nice, have you been?”
Gavin moved his office? He quit Dorgan’s?
“No, can’t say I have had the pleasure of seeing it. Look, Mr. Harris, I hate mind games, so say what you came to say.”
“A woman not afraid to speak her mind, I like that. I wonder if you know what you are in for.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “In regards to what?”
“Your relationship with Mr. Rawlins.”
Sanura had had enough. “Mr. Harris, if the only reason you needed to see me was to discuss my relationship with Gavin Rawlins, then there is the door. I don’t have time for it. If there is something I can do for you in regards to the service of this restaurant please let me know.” Her words were enunciated with firm conviction.
“You’re right,” he conceded. “It’s none of my business and I do actually have a work related question for you.” He flexed his fingers on the back of the chair before him. “This building that Gavin Rawlins is designing for me is to be a large clinic for the poor. I was wondering if you would be interested in helping me set up the kitchen area and getting some people to work it.”
She crossed her arms. “What, you want me to staff your kitchen?”
“No, I want you to run it.”
Impressive. “Thank you for the offer, but I am busy enough with the work I have here.”
“Perhaps I’m not being clear. You wouldn’t have to be there in person. I love the atmosphere of this place. There is a warm feeling most of the people who will come to the clinic won’t have in their life. What I would like would be for you to do the interviews and help train people to create a similar atmosphere to what you have here. I would also like to use your name, A Little Taste of Home, for it.”
Harris stretched out his hand. Sanura shook it and as he turned to leave, he peered back over his shoulder. “Sorry about my earlier comments. It is not common for me to find two people willing to face what you two will anymore. Makes me hopeful for the future of the country. Give my proposal some thought. My card is on your desk and I will get back to you. Good day, Ms. McKie.” Then he was gone, leaving behind the faint smell of Old Spice aftershave.
His words stayed with Sanura throughout the day. She continued to work in her office until three when another knock came to her door.
“It’s open, come on in.”
Her eyes stayed on her computer screen as the door opened and then shut again. Hearing it shut made her look up, for most people left it open once they entered. It was Gavin.
He wore another one of his high-powered suits. Gray with a tan tie. The tie was loosened and he looked rumpled. He had never looked better to her.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for lunch.” He strode towards her and she rose to meet him.
“Well, the dining area is back out there.”
“Yes, but what I want is right here.” His arms swept around her and his lips claimed hers. This was what it was all about, this was heaven.
Sanura eagerly moved closer to his body. Flames licked her entire body as his touch skimmed her. Their tongues dueled as heat grew between them.
Gavin stepped back and looked intently at her upturned face. “I missed you.”
“You couldn’t have. You were sleeping when I left.”
“I don’t like waking without you there. I wondered if you had even been there at all. Then I found your note.” His eyes sparkled fiendishly. “I’ll bring the wine, you bring,” his cerulean gaze saw beneath her clothes and flared with passion, “that luscious body of yours. You can be dessert.”
She blushed and changed the subject. “Are you really here to eat?”
“Yep. Join me?” His fingers brushed her cheek, sending waves of desire to run another course over her body.
“Can’t, I’m about to leave. I have a delivery to make.”
“Were you serious about tonight?”
“I was. Unless you have other pl
ans.”
“No. Guess what?” There in his voice rang such joy Sanura almost double checked who she talked to.
“What?” His enthusiasm was amusing.
“I quit today and we opened our new office.”
Well, he did tell her. “Congrats. Where is your office?” She was very happy he got out of Dorgan’s.
“Up the block. I don’t suppose we could get some snack items delivered in the mornings from this little place called A Little Taste of Home, could we?”
Grinning, Sanura answered with a smart, “Well I do have an in with one of the owners so I could put in a good word for you.”
Gavin kissed her hard and long. When his lips finally left hers he said, “Give that to the owner for my thanks.”
“So that’s why you were after me, for the food. I get it now.” She smacked him on the shoulder and he had the grace to appear in pain.
“That’s it exactly.” His blue eyes softened as he looked upon her light brown face. Her hands found their way to his chest and settled there as they felt the pounding of his heart.
“Really? So I can go out with other guys then?” she tossed out, testing the waters.
“Not if you value their lives,” he ground out as his expression grew foreboding.
“Chill,” she pressed a lingering kiss to his lips before stepping back. “I really have to go, come on I’ll walk out with you.”
“Tonight? Still?”
“See you then.” She led him to a table and gestured for him to sit down. As he did she waved to one of the waitresses, a cute black woman named Tatyana. “Take care of him will you, Tati?”
“Sure thing, Mac.” She smiled at the two of them and waited for Gavin to say something.
Sanura sent him a private smile and said, “Later.” Then she walked off and left the diner.
* * * *
It was after eleven when Sanura pulled up in front of his building. Her days seemed to get longer and longer. She got out, locked her vehicle and went inside. Once in the elevator she breathed a sigh of relief.
When the doors slid open she saw him sitting on the floor in front of his door. He wore shorts and no shirt, looking very rugged. Very handsome. Very delectable.
“What are you doing out here?” Lord, you sure know how to make a good-lookin’ man. Thank you.
He rose when he saw her and approached. “Waiting for you. I was ready to call you.” He looked at the box in her hands. “What’s in there?”
“You don’t think I would come over empty handed, do you?”
“It is not possible for you to do so; you will always have something I want.” He removed the box from her hand and pressed a kiss to her lips
“What’s with the compliments? Place a mess again, and you want me to clean it?” she teased. Her body blazed with the desire to touch his predominately naked form.
“Come sit with me. I want to talk before I get carried away.”
Gavin got them two glasses of wine and Sanura put one large piece of cake on a plate. The lights were down low and a mix of soft music played in the background. She curled up next to him on his comfortable couch and they shared the cake. It was a rich chocolate cake that fell apart in your mouth, it was so moist.
“How was your day?” he asked around a bite of cake.
“Pretty good. I did have a visitor, though.”
He chuckled. “Did I surprise you?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t you I was talking about. It was Richard Harris.” Gavin tensed at her words.
“What did he want?” He spoke in a tightly controlled voice.
“Interestingly enough, he asked about acquiring my help in setting up a dining area in the building you’re designing. Wants to use the name of the restaurant and have the same kind of atmosphere.” She tilted her head up to look at the man at her back. “I told him I had to think about it. I’ll have to get in touch with Allison and see if we want to go corporate.”
“Sounds like it would be an amazing opportunity.” He cleared his throat. “Was that all he wanted?”
“No. There’s something about him. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something. He wants to know about you and me. It’s like he’s fishing for something.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
The protectiveness of his voice warmed her from top to bottom. Sanura set down her drink and took the plate from the man that sat behind her, whose hair was becoming blonder with the summer. She stood, set the plate down, and returned to straddle his hips. “Forget about him.”
Forehead to forehead, she closed her eyes and relished being this close to Gavin again. His hands moved under her shirt, lifting it slowly, inch by torturous inch to expose her body to him before he tugged it off. His gaze darkened as they roamed her figure while his hands sensuously caressed the planes of her back. His dick stiffened in response and her head fell back, shrouding his hands with her hair.
Gavin’s fingers slid under the strap of her bra, first one and then the other. The lacy black strap slid down her arm.
“God, you are so beautiful.”
When he said it that way, she felt it. He flicked the hooks on her bra, causing it to fall away. Clad only in a skirt and heels, Sanura rocked on the hardened ridge between her thighs. She stood slowly and he followed. Her bra dropped unseen to the floor.
Gavin closed the distance between them and lowered his head for another kiss. His hands found the zipper on the side of her black skirt and, as his mouth pulled on her tongue, his fingers tugged down the fastening. He tasted of wine and chocolate. Her breasts pressed against his smooth chest as her skirt was removed.
His arousal prodded her and she wanted it. She whimpered into his mouth. Even though no words passed between them he understood what she was asking for, picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Lord, thank you for sending this man to me.
Chapter Thirteen
Gently he eased her down onto the bed. She lay there wearing only her lacy black thong while he stood in only his shorts. The flickering candlelight made him appear bronzed. For a moment Gavin stared at her as she lay there on his bed. Waiting for him.
He joined her and his hand seared a path from her shoulder to her thigh. Her eyes were heavy-lidded with desire and she wanted him naked beside her. She wanted to touch. His lips brushed her nipple with tantalizing possessiveness. Her back arched and brought her closer to the wicked heat of his mouth. She clenched both silken petals and smooth sheet.
Gavin moved his body to cover hers. She began to explore, thrumming with passion, but there was a need to go slow and be gentle. She glided her hands across his broad shoulders and down his back. His muscles rippled with each movement he made. He was a work of art, nothing soft about him. Just hard, strong, sculpted muscles.
Gavin buried her face in her neck. He paused to kiss her. Her body arched to bring their steamy skin closer together. They fit so well together, her curves tucked perfectly into the contours of his own body.
Gavin moved down her body slowly as his tongue set off new waves of lust inside her. From her tightened breasts to her navel, he licked and nipped until she was letting off loud whimpers of pleasure. Set back on his knees, he put his hands in the waistband of her thong. She closed her eyes against the pleasure flowing throughout her body.
Ever so slowly he tugged on her last remaining bit of clothing. He slid it down over her firm thighs. The lace was wet; he brought it close to his nose and inhaled deeply before dropping it off the bed.
* * * *
She smelled so good, a rich honeyed scent, and as long as he lived he would never get enough of it. For a brief moment Gavin looked down at her, at the beauty she offered to him. Full breasts with hard nipples in the night air. Her body was toned and firm, but for all the strength he couldn’t ignore the delicate appearance. Fragile even.
Why had he been so lucky to find someone like her? What if she wasn’t feeling the same thing he was? He’d almost lost her once, could he go through that again?
<
br /> Her eyes fluttered open and he began to drown in the pools of her green eyes, so dark they almost appeared black. The look she bestowed upon him told him all he needed to know. He removed his shorts in record time. Where they fell, he didn’t know. Didn’t care. He slipped on a condom and positioned his body back over hers within moments.
Gavin pressed his mouth to hers. Not able to convey his feelings verbally, he let his kiss tell all. Her legs spread wider to accommodate his body between them. One smooth stroke was all it took and he was sheathed totally within her core. Her velvet muscles clamped around him as her hips rose to meet his piston-like motions. They found a tempo that fit them both and rode it well.
Their lips melded together, tongues dueled and teased. Gavin felt her insides contracting around his dick.
He increased his speed and the force of his thrusts. A groaned spilled from the back of his throat. The second his mouth left hers, loud moans echoed throughout the room as her body vibrated. Her fingers scratched his back as she pulled him in closer and closer. She drew blood. The bite and resulting sting on his back heated his own blood more.
“I love you, kitten,” he moaned as his hips moved faster and faster.
“Oh God, Gavin. . .I. . .” She never finished that sentence. Instead she screamed her release.
Her muscles, as they milked his hardness, yanked him off the cliff after her. He dropped his head and slammed back into her one more time as he roared his release out to the candlelit room.
His muscles were too weak to support him and he barely managed to move to the side before he collapsed. Hearts raced as they curled up together, Sanura with her head on his shoulder and hand on his chest.
No words were needed as they lay in the flickering light of the room regaining their stolen breath. They dozed for a while and the candles had almost burned themselves out when they woke again.
“God, kitten. You’re going to kill me,” he said after he claimed his kiss from her sweet lips.
“I think you already did kill me. But damn, what a way to go.” She picked up some of the petals that were still around them and put them on his chest. “What’s the occasion for the petals ’n candles?”