What She Needs

by Danyiel Nicole

  He sits down next to me and puts his arm around me. “Alicia, the only person you have to worry about liking you is already in love with you. I just want to introduce you to my family so that they can meet the woman of my dreams. I don’t care if they don’t like you, I love you.”

  I look up at him and smile; before I can think, the words slip off my tongue and through my lips. “I love you, too.”

  His smile widens and his eyes brighten. “You do? That’s magnificent. I didn’t think you were going to say it back this fast.” I nod and smile back, then he hugs me tighter. What in the hell did I just commit to? I just told a man that I’ve just started dating that I love him. I guess in so many words it is true; I love his accent, his sexy body, his personality, and the way he makes me feel. That doesn’t mean I’m in love with him. He plants a soft kiss on my lips, “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I don’t want you to ever feel like I’m pressuring you into something you don’t want to do.”

  I think about it for a moment before I answer. “I’m going to have to meet them sooner or later, so I might as well get it over with.”

  He lets out a sigh of relief and then smiles. “Thank you. Now, if you would please get up I’ll help you find something to wear.” He stands and then reaches his hand out to help me off the floor. He’s wearing a black T-shirt, fitted jeans, a pair of silver Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers, and a matching white gold chain and bracelet combination serve as his accessories. He looks younger and still sexy as hell; I want to jump him in this closet. “Don’t look at me like that,” he says reading my facial expression. “We won’t make it out of the house, especially since you’re only wearing that half bra and a thong.” By the look in his eye I can tell we are on the same page.

  We both look through my clothes in search of the perfect outfit to meet his parents in and after about ten minutes we decide on brown spaghetti strap romper pants ensemble, red Christian Louboutin stilettos, gold accessories, leopard print handbag, and because it’s probably too cold outside, I put on a red blazer for warmth.

  We walk into the room and Heath sits on the bed and watches me as I put my clothes on, occasionally moaning under his breath. My little lady is starting to swell. The sudden thought comes to me that Heath and I are having sex almost every day and we’ve only been together for a week. I need to know if our relationship is going to be more than that. When I finish dressing we head down to the garage and get into his Range Rover.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?” Heath says as we leave out of the garage heading in the opposite direction of London City to his parent’s home in Weybridge.

  “I don’t recall you saying it today,” I say jokingly, “but thank you.”

  “Well, I need to make sure I tell you every day. I want you to know how much I appreciate your beauty; inner and outer.

  “Is it my beauty or what’s between my legs that you appreciate?”

  He turns to look at me. His eyebrows are furrowed as if he can’t believe I asked him such a question. “What does that mean Alicia?”

  Why can’t I keep my thoughts to myself?

  “Well . . . um . . .” I start nervously. “We went on out first date a week ago, we’re already in a relationship, and having sex on a more than regular basis. I just don’t want a relationship based on sex Heath, that’s all.”

  “Darling, I can understand you being afraid of what’s happening between us; especially considering what you’ve just been through with your ex-husband, but please let me assure you that I’m not with you for sex. I can have sex with anyone, I’m a celebrity. I’m with you because you can hold your own; you don’t really need me. I love you because before you discovered who I am to the public eye, you got to know who I really am, I didn’t have to work so hard to make you see me as a person. I don’t want to lose you, so if you think that our relationship is too sexual at this point let’s stop having sex for a while and date more.”

  Whoa, wait, I didn’t say all that.

  “Do you really think you can have a relationship with me and not have sex? Because I don’t think you can,” I say deciding to humor him.

  “As a matter of fact, I know I can.”

  “Well, let’s put a friendly wager on it.”

  “Don’t make bets you know you can’t win, darling.”

  “Are you afraid?” I ask feigning an evil smile.

  He chuckles, “What are you proposing?”

  “We’ll see who can go the longest without sex; the first person to give in loses and the winner gets a prize of their choice, but we’ll need to decide on the prize right now so we’ll know what’s at stake.” He looks at me and nods in agreement. “Okay, so if I win,” I continue, “you’ll have to give me a massage three times a week for an entire month.”

  He smiles at me. “Who exactly is that benefiting? Well, if I win you have to be my sex slave for an entire month, which means you have to give it to me anywhere I want and however I want it.” He glances over at me with his eyes narrowed looking sexy and seductive. “Will that be too much for you if you lose darling?”

  “I don’t make bets that I’m going to lose Mr. St. James,” I say with all the confidence I can muster up under that intimidating stare. “You’re on, the bet starts now. May the best person win.” He reaches over and we shake on it.

  It takes about an hour and a half to get from Camden Village to Weybridge. Heath and I talked the whole way there about whatever popped up. It wasn’t a boring ride, but it’s the longest ride that I’ve taken in a while by car.

  “Why do you live so far away from your parents?” I ask as we pull up to an iron gate.

  “You’ll see in due time,” he says as he presses a remote control opening the gates.

  The driveway is lined with tall even cut trees that lead to a circular driveway with an enormous fountain in the middle. The house is like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life; it’s not a house, it’s a castle from the eighteenth century if I’m not mistaken. It’s made of stone and it even has towers on each corner.

  Are Heath’s parents some sort of royalty?

  Heath gets out of the car and then walks around to open the door for me.

  “Is there anything I need to know before I go in here?” I ask nervously.

  “Yes, my mother is still quite fond of my ex-fiancé, and they don’t know that you’re American,” he says with a nervous chuckle.

  I cut my eyes at him. “Will they have a problem with the fact that I’m American?”

  “My father won’t, but my mother doesn’t like anyone.”

  “Did you tell them anything about me?”

  “Yes, I told them I met the most wonderful woman, and she’s stolen my heart. That’s all that matters Alicia,” he says as he puts his key in the door and opens it. “Mum, dad, we’re here.”

  A moment later a woman comes around the corner; she’s wearing a soft blue sheath dress and killer stilettos. “Heath,” she says as she pulls him into her embrace. “I’ve missed you so much. It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

  “Mother, it’s only been three weeks, and we talk almost every day,” he says as he hugs her back.

  “Well, don’t stay away so long next time, and sometimes phone calls aren’t enough,” she says swatting him on his arm.

  When they finished their hug, Heath reaches back, grabs my hand and pulls me to his side. “Mother, this is my new girlfriend, Alicia McAllister; Alicia, this is my mother, Himaya St. James.” She is absolutely beautiful; she’s tall, light skinned with hazel eyes, and long curly hair that flows down her back. I can tell she is in her early fifties but she looks really good for her age.

  I reach out to shake her hand. “Mrs. St. James, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Alicia, I’ve heard wonderful things about you,” she says returning my handshake. “Will you two please come join us in the family room?”

  We walk down the hallway, Heath and I hand in hand and his mother is leading the wa
y. We pass a set of stairs that makes the ones in Heath’s penthouse look cheap, and several other rooms, some with the door closed and some open until we turn off to the right into a huge room full of paintings and Victorian furniture. The walls are painted off-white, I’m assuming to let the artwork be the focal point of the room. There is a wood-burning fireplace faced with the same stone that the house was built with, giving the room a greater sense of elegance.

  “You two have a seat and I’ll see what’s keeping Raymond,” Mrs. St. James says as she leaves the room in search of her husband.

  “Your parent’s house is really nice,” I say looking around the room.

  “Yes, it is a pretty neat place. My father purchased it from The Duke of Weybridge after he and my mother got married. It was pretty nice growing up in it. I’ll have to bring you back during the day and show you the grounds.”

  “I’d love that.”

  “So,” he says as he turns toward me and kisses me on the cheek, “are you ready for this bet?” The way he says it lets me know he does not plan on playing fair.

  “Sure,” I answer, doing my best to sound nonchalant.

  “Alicia, I’ve seen in your face how I make you feel. Don’t sit there and act like this isn’t going to be a struggle for you,” he says calling my bluff. “I know it’s not going to be easy for me.”

  “If you want to call off the bet now, I’m okay with that, just as long as you’re cool with fulfilling your end of the deal.”

  “Oh no darling, I fully intend to win. I like the idea of you being my sex slave. There are so many ways I want to make love to you. I have half of the month planned out already.”

  I swallow hard. “I thought I already was your sex slave. I come however you want me to.”

  His eyes turn dark and full of carnality. “Yes, that’s true, but my sex slave wouldn’t question why I’m with her. She’ll know. She’ll know that I appreciate her for things outside of the bedroom, as well.” He leans over and kisses me chastely on the lips, just enough to wake my little lady up.

  He’s playing games, ugh!

  I move one space away from him and he scoots over next to me, liking the cat and mouse game.

  “I’ve never seen my brother chase a woman before.” A voice says, coming to my rescue.

  We follow the voice to the doorway where another tall light-skinned younger woman is standing. Heath immediately gets up from where he is sitting and walks over to her, hugging her tight.

  “Ada!” He says as he picks her up off the floor and spins her around. When he puts her down he introduces us. “Ada, this is the woman I’ve been telling you about, Alicia McAllister. Alicia, this is my younger sister, Ada.” He looks over at her, “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

  “When you told me that you were bringing Alicia to meet mum and dad, I couldn’t let you do it alone. You know how your mother is.” She walks over to me and I stand. She pulls me in for a hug and says, “Alicia, it’s so nice to finally meet the woman my brother couldn’t stop talking about.” I look over at Heath and if dark skin could blush, his just did.

  Ada is just as beautiful as her mother, she has darker eyes and her hair is cut short like a pixie fairy. In some ways I can see similarities in her and Heath’s facial features.

  We all sit down and start to talk. Ada tells me that she is majoring in business and finance at Oxford and I tell her I have my MBA. Heath mentions that I’m the CEO of Stansbury Investment’s European division and she asks me if she could intern there in the summer. Of course, I said yes. Despite what their parents have to say about Heath’s career as a Bridgecam Race car driver, Ada thinks it’s the coolest thing ever to have a brother that is a celebrity. She told us a couple of unusual stories about how just being Heath’s little sister helped her get into clubs and even out of speeding tickets. As we are laughing at the latest story Ada is telling us, she looks over out of the corner of her eye and immediately stands. “Daddy,” she says and walks over to the door toward a very handsome dark-skinned man with low-cut curly salt and pepper hair. His eyes are dark and sparkly, and his face is clean shaven, allowing me to see what Heath is going to look like when he gets older.

  Heath and I both stand, and he walks over to give his father a hug, even though they saw one another yesterday. “Dad,” he says reaching out toward me gesturing me to walk over to him. “This is Alicia McAllister, my new girlfriend. Alicia, this is my father Raymond St. James.”

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Alicia,” Mr. St. James says reaching out to shake my hand.

  “Likewise,” I say smiling nervously.

  “Dinner is ready,” Mrs. St. James announces peeking around the corner.

  On our way to the dining room Heath caresses my behind sending a heat wave through my body, lighting a small fire in my little lady. I’m so grateful that everyone is in front of us.

  The dining room is grand, just as elegant as the sitting room we were just in. There is a table big enough to seat twenty people with an off-white floor length tablecloth, tall centerpiece in the middle of it. We take our seats with Mr. St. James at the head of the table, Mrs. St. James to his right, Ada next to her, Heath sitting across from his mother and I am sitting next to Heath. There are two more place settings next to Ada and me.

  “I was expecting more company, but it looks like they aren’t going to show,” Mrs. St. James says answering my silent question.

  The butler and maid bring out dinner on trays and serve us. Oven roasted new potatoes, rosemary chicken, fresh cut green beans, yeast rolls, and white wine to drink. Mr. St. James says grace and we dig in.

  “Alicia, I can’t help but notice your accent. Where are you from?” Mrs. St. James asks.

  Accent? I didn’t notice that I had an accent.

  “I’m from Florida; Winter Park to be exact,” I answer hoping she won’t be asking probing questions all night.

  “Oh, so you’re American,” she says with the slight detest in her voice.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Himaya, please,” Mr. St. James says cutting her off. He turns to me, “What brings you to London?” He asks, taking control of the conversation, putting an end to whatever his wife’s malicious intent may be.

  “Work,” I say turning to face Heath’s father now.

  “Winter Park, is that near Orlando?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I have a friend who owns an investment firm there. One of the best in the nation and he recently expanded to Europe. Are you familiar with Stansbury Investment?” Mr. St. James asks.

  Heath nearly chokes on his food. I reach over and hand him his wine in an attempt to calm him, then turn back to his father to answer his question. “Yes, I’m familiar with Stansbury Investment, that’s the company I work for.”

  “Oh really?” Mr. St. James asks. “Have you had the pleasure of meeting Richard Stansbury? He and I have been friends since college.”

  “Yes sir, I know Mr. Stansbury,” I say with a slight smile on my face.

  “Oh,” he says looking confused. “I didn’t know Richard was that social with his employees. What is your position in the company?” He asks.

  “I’m the CEO of the European Division,” I say nonchalantly.

  His eyes widen and he smiles. “You’re the go-getter Richard was talking about. The one that set my company up for that wonderful investment back in March.”

  “The very same.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you and I look forward to doing business with you in the future.”

  “Likewise sir.” I look over at Heath’s mom who looks disgusted over the fact that I’ve won her son and her husband over.

  The rest of dinner conversation just ebbed and flowed. The St. James family seems to approve of me, well, everyone except Mrs. St. James. She did everything in her power to make me seem like a bad person. When I mentioned I was recently divorced, she insinuated that Heath was just a rebound relationship, and when Heath told her that w
e were very much in love, she suggested that it was too soon for us to know that we love one another. I did my best not to be disrespectful because she is Heath’s mother, but I wanted to snap on her.

  After dinner we all continue our conversation over tea in the living room. I hear the doorbell ring, but no one moves so I’m assuming that they are leaving it to the butler to answer. We are laughing at a funny story Ada and Heath are telling, then suddenly there is an uncomfortable silence in the room. The doorbell rings again, but no one moves. Everyone’s eyes are fixated on the gorgeous brown-skinned woman in the doorway. Her hair is in a chin-length bob, her eyes are bright and shiny, and her cheek bones put most women to shame. Her makeup is impeccable and she’s wearing a little black dress that stops just above her knees with a pair of silver Louboutin stilettos. She’s tall, beautiful, and looks like a model.

  “Nadia,” I hear Mrs. St. James say. “Please come in, we’re just having some tea.” Heath, his father and his sister turn to look at Mrs. St. James in unison, giving her the same disappointed look.

  This bitch invited Heath’s ex to dinner knowing I was going to be here.

  “Himaya, how could you?” Mr. St. James says to his wife.

  Just as she is about to explain, I hear Ada call out, “Uncle Richard!” then jets over to hug Mr. Stansbury.

  “How is my favorite niece?” Mr. Stansbury says wrapping his arms around her. As he holds Ada in his embrace, he looks up and sees my face, gazing as if he’s seen a ghost. “McAllister?”

  “Good evening Mr. Stansbury.” I say with a half-smile.

  What in the world is this woman trying to do to me?

  Chapter 9

  I’m looking around the room at my boss and trying to keep calm as my boyfriend’s ex-fiancé undresses him with her eyes. This night is turning out to be a total disaster.

  “Heath, how have you been? I’ve missed you so much.” Nadia says gliding across the room toward Heath like she is on a runway. When she makes it to him, he stands and gives her an awkward one arm hug because he is holding my hand. She lets go then leans in to give him a kiss. He moves just before she makes it to his lips.