There in the kitchen, sitting at the table, was someone with the identical face of her lover. Josinia shrank behind Tek.
“Takeem, I thought you were going out?” Tek said.
“I did. I’m back. Too tired,” he said. “You want to introduce me to your friend before she bolts?” He chuckled.
“Not particularly, but I guess it would be the proper thing to do. Josinia, this is my twin, Takeem. He was just leaving,” Tek stressed.
“Hello,” she said from behind Tek. She only had on Tek’s thin t-shirt that did nothing to hide what was underneath. She refused to parade around half naked in front of his brother. But damn, did his brother look good. Of course he did. They had the same face. Tek had said they were twins, but she’d had no idea that they were identical. Now, Josinia heard Tek’s brother’s laughter.
“Josinia. What a lovely name. Tek, I had no idea you had company. I got in about fifteen minutes ago, saw this lovely meal, and thought you’d blessed me with some food. My mistake. Take your lady back to bed. She’s embarrassed. I’ll fix you guys something light and call you when it’s ready.”
Tek scowled at his brother. “That’s not necessary. We can eat whatever’s left over. Or did you eat everything?”
“No, I didn’t, but it’s not enough for two. Don’t worry, brother, I’ll be out of your way just as soon as I throw something together for the two of you to eat.”
Tek turned to face her. “Josinia, baby, wait for me in the room—I want a word with my brother,” he whispered.
“Okay,” she said without hesitation and made a beeline for his room.
* * *
“What’s going on, Takeem? It’s unusual for you to be in so early,” Tek said.
“Nothing’s going on, Tek. Go enjoy your woman. She’s special, isn’t she?” Takeem asked.
“How’d you know?”
“You’ve never brought a woman into your home, and she’s wearing that gold chain that you’ve worn around your neck since forever. Is she the one the chain belonged to?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Hold on to her, brother. God doesn’t make mistakes. I know you weren’t in love with her at the time, but there still has to be a reason why you two met up again. Don’t blow it. There comes a time in every man’s life when he has to reevaluate his priorities. Your time is now. I have a feeling that everything you’ve ever wanted in a woman is in that woman who just bolted into your room. Hell, Tek, you almost bit my head off when you thought I was looking at her,” he snickered.
“That’s because you were looking at her.” Tek frowned.
“Of course I was. She’s fine as hell. The point is you’ve never done that before. That tells me that, whether you like it or not, you already have deep feelings for her. Like I said, hold on to her.”
“She only wants tonight,” Tek murmured. “She’s had a lot of pitfalls in her life.”
“Well, change her mind. Let her know you can’t do anything about the past, but going forward, you plan on being there for her every step of the way. Not just with words but in actions, too,” Takeem said.
“Who are you, and what the hell have you done with my brother?”
Takeem laughed outright. “Go to your woman, brother. I’ll go over to the guys’ place. I have a key. I’ll give them a call and tell them not to disturb you this weekend.”
“Takeem. Thank you. I don’t know what’s going on in your life at the moment. I know it’s something. When you’re ready to talk about it…I’m here.”
“I know you. Go before I call Mom and tell her she’s about to have a daughter-in-law.”
Tek looked horrified. “Don’t you dare,” he cried. “I haven’t even gotten Josinia to hang out with me for more than one night, let alone talk about marriage. Besides, I don’t know if I’m ready for marriage yet.”
“Oh, you’re ready. Trust me. You’ll see.”
“If you say so. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow. Thanks again, man,” Tek said, walking over to his brother and embracing him in a brotherly hug. Then he turned and walked back to the room where Josinia was waiting.
“Is your brother okay?” she asked. Tek could see the concern in her beautiful gray eyes.
“He says he is. However, I’m not too sure about that,” he said, climbing into bed next to her. “He’s determined to fix us something to eat, and then he will be leaving.”
“Leaving to where? Isn’t he staying here with you?” she asked.
“Well, yes he is, but we have friends here. He’ll camp out with them until tomorrow.”
“Somehow that doesn’t seem right.” Josinia frowned.
“Trust me. It’s right. I want to spend as much time as I can with you before we leave this beach,” he said.
“We’ll see,” she joked. “I’d better put some clothes on or that delicious food I smell will be ruined again. Besides, I want a proper introduction to your brother.”
“Ah, man,” he whined. “I thought we could get in a quickie while our food is being cooked.”
“Uh—no. You’ve had enough quickies for one night. First a shower is in order. We both smell like sex,” she said, jumping up from the bed.
Tek sighed. “If you say so, but we shower together.” He smiled wickedly. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Tek we are not having sex while your brother is here.” She eyed him.
“We’ll see. Let’s go,” he said grabbing her hand and walking her to the shower.
Chapter Six
‡
They showered and dressed quickly. Takeem was leaving just as they were coming out of the bedroom.
“Please don’t leave. I would like to have a formal introduction, if you don’t mind,” Josinia called to Takeem and watched as he turned on his heels to face them.
She watched Takeem look at Tek for confirmation. Seeing as Tek wasn’t saying anything, she answered for him.
“Trust me, Tek doesn’t mind. Do you, Tek?” she asked, nudging him in his side.
“Ouch,” he yelped. “Why are you abusing me, woman?”
“Let your brother know that it’s okay for him to stay,” she whispered.
“Yeah, what she said,” he grumbled.
“Make him feel welcome why don’t you?” she said sarcastically.
“It’s no problem. I’m sure I will be seeing you again,” Takeem chuckled. “I’m afraid of what my brother will do to me if I stay.”
“Nonsense. Tek is fine with you staying. Especially after you’ve prepared what smells like a delicious meal. Right, Tek?” she asked, turning to look up at him.
“Stay, Takeem. We would love to have you. Not,” he added under his breath.
“It’s settled. Come, let’s all go into the kitchen area. We can talk while we eat,” she said, turning so that Tek could lead the way into the kitchen.
“Yes, please join us, Takeem,” Tek said sarcastically. That earned him a poke in the back from Josinia.
“Cut it out. You know you want your brother here. I’ve the feeling that you two are really close, regardless of your grumblings.”
“You two sit. I’ll get your food for you. We can talk while I prepare your plates,” Takeem said.
“We can fix our own plates, Takeem,” Josinia said.
“No. I want to do it. Please, sit,” Takeem said, pointing to the barstool.
Josinia sat and watched as Tek took the stool, pushed it closer to hers, and sat next to her around the center island.
“Are you close enough?” she joked.
“No. Care to sit on my lap?” he shot back.
Her eyes bugged as she quickly looked over to Takeem to see if he was paying attention. From the chuckle she heard from him, there was no doubt he’d heard Tek.
“No,” Josinia said with a scowl at Tek.
“What?” He smiled and kissed her on the lips.
“Stop embarrassing the woman, brother,” Takeem said.
“Where’s our food, brother?” Tek shot back.
/> “Coming up,” Tekeem said, placing a plate each in front of them.
“Wow, this looks delicious,” Josinia said, eyeing the food on her plate. “Smells great, too.”
“It tastes good, too. Trust me,” Takeem said.
Josinia forked a shrimp up and put it in her mouth. “Umm, heavenly,” she sighed.
“Told you so,” Takeem said smiling. “I already know you’re going to like it, Tek.”
“Of course,” Tek said, forking up a mouthful of food himself.
“So, Takeem, are you a chef?” Josinia asked.
“Uh, no. Why do you ask?”
“I watched how you acted in the kitchen just now. You were very specific in how you placed the meal on our plates. Chefs do that. My friend Stephanie went to chef’s school after college.”
“Really. Interesting,” Takeem said. “Tek, we’ll have to make sure to invite all of them to our party in a few months.”
Tek smiled and then answered. “Yes, of course.”
“What party?” Josinia asked, looking from one to the other.
“Our thirtieth birthday party,” Tek responded. “You have to come, Josinia, and your friends, too.”
“Uh, you do realize that I am only here for, like, another day or two, right?”
“Yes. So what? We both live in New York. You’re not getting away from me that quickly,” he frowned.
“Hmm,” was all she said as she continued to eat her food.
“I would love to meet your friends, Josinia. But I will leave you and Tek to work that out. I am hoping he can talk you into coming.”
They all continued with small talk for a while.
“Now I am really leaving. I will see you, brother, sometime tomorrow. Maybe,” Takeem added.
“I should really get going, too,” Josinia said.
“We’ll talk about it after I see my brother out,” Tek said.
She watched as the brothers walked to the door. Both were whispering. It was uncanny that the two were almost totally identical. Takeem’s voice was a bit huskier than Tek’s, and though Takeem smiled a lot, he had sad eyes. Tek was correct in assuming that something was bothering his brother. She guessed they would talk about it once she was out of the way.
“Good luck in convincing her to stay around, Tek. I tried to help by inviting her to our party,” Takeem whispered.
“I know. I appreciate it. You know that party was supposed to be a surprise for us, right?” Tek chuckled.
“Please, our mother couldn’t keep a secret from us if she were paid too,” Takeem snorted.
“I know.” Tek smiled. “Well, I have my work cut out for me with Josinia. My plan is to get her to spend the rest of her time here with me and go from there.”
“Like I said, good luck. Talk to you tomorrow,” Takeem said, opening the door and walking out.
“Talk to you tomorrow,” Tek waved and then closed and locked the door after his brother. He quickly walked back towards the kitchen to join Josinia.
“So, how about we take this wine into the living area and watch a movie?” he said.
“That sounds good to me. Except it’s getting late. I should be leaving now,” she said.
“Stay for a while. If you still want to walk back after the movie, then I’ll walk you back. Reluctantly, I might add,” he said.
“Okay. Fine,” she said, throwing up her hands.
“Great!” he cried.
True to his word, after they watched the movie, he walked her back, but with a promise that she’d spend the next day with him, too. The next day turned into the next and the next. And she continued to see him on weekends once they’d gotten back to New York. Especially since he’d cut down on his time in Atlanta.
Epilogue
‡
Josinia stood out on the balcony taking in the beautiful, glorious morning. She’d left Tek sleeping like a baby. It wouldn’t be long before he joined her. He loved the dawn as much as she did. Josinia and Tek and been dating officially for one year today. They were back in Myrtle Beach, celebrating with all of their friends and family. It was a gang of them, too. They hadn’t all gotten together like this since Tek and Takeem’s thirtieth birthday party…which had been a blast.
She’d met his parents, and he’d met her uncle, and her brother and sister. He hadn’t been too impressed with Tempest and had told her so. That was her man…not afraid to say what was on his mind. Josinia loved him very much and knew he loved her. Not only did he tell her each and every day, but he also showed her. He was always the attentive lover and friend. She sighed. She was really happy.
“Mommy, I’m finally happy,” she said to herself.
“I’m glad.” She heard the voice before she felt the arms that came up and around her waist. “I intend to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”
“Hey you,” she said, leaning back into him. “That’s a pretty tall order. How do you plan on filling it?”
“By marrying you, of course.”
“Excuse me?” she croaked out.
“I said by marrying you. Dr. Josinia Brown, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Uh…uh…”
“Not quite the answer I was looking for. Let’s try this again,” he said, turning her around to face him.
“Dr. Josinia Brown, will you make me the happiest man on earth by becoming my wife?” he asked again, smiling down into her shocked eyes. “Listen, don’t make me have to use my powers of persuasion on you.”
“I welcome the use of your powers of persuasion. They always leave me deeply fulfilled. If I say yes, can I still get…uh…those persuasive powers?” she asked, the merriment evident in her eyes.
“Of course, baby. Anything for you,” he whispered huskily.
“Then yes, Teksuen Montreal, I will marry you just as soon as you can get me to a church,” she said excitedly.
“Woo-hoo!” he yelled, picking her up and spinning her around.
“Tek, put me down. You crazy man.” She laughed.
“Crazy in love with you. Come on, sweetness—your ring is in the bedroom with my powers of persuasion,” he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Take me to it, then,” she cried happily.
“The ring or the persuasion?”
“Both, you silly man.”
“Your wish is my command,” he said, racing with her in his arms back to the bedroom, where he sat her down on the bed and presented her with an antique diamond engagement ring.
“Tek, this is beautiful,” she whispered.
“So are you. It belonged to my great-grandmother. My mother gave it to me to give to you when I told her and my father that I planned on proposing to you today. They’re here, you know. My mother claimed it was to make sure that I did it right.” He laughed. “In truth, she’s so ecstatic that one of her sons is getting married that she couldn’t contain herself. By the way, she said to tell you she wanted grandchildren right away.”
“She’s not asking for much, is she?” Josinia snorted. She adored the beautiful Asian woman who would soon be her mother-in-law. Sachi had immediately taken her under her wing. She was like the mother Josinia missed so much. No one would be able to take her mother’s place…but she was happy she had someone to treat her like a daughter should be treated.
“Stop thinking so much and let’s make love,” Tek said, sliding the silk robe off of her. “Dammit, Josinia, what’d I tell you about standing around on that balcony with nothing on underneath your robe?”
“Oh shut up and make love to me,” she said, reaching between them, pushing his boxers down, and taking hold of his cock. His quick intake of breath stirred her on. “This belongs to me, you know.”
“It’s belonged to you since we met again last year,” he groaned.
Josinia flexed her fingers around him fully, palming him with her hand. “Yes, but now I get the papers on it,” she said, squeezing his cock for good measure.
“Oh, baby, that feels good,” he said,
eyes half-closed. “You don’t need papers, baby—I haven’t looked at another woman since I’ve been with you. You’re all the both of us need. Oh man, that feels good.”
“Does it now?” she whispered, circling the bulbous head with the palm of her hand, then traveling downward to cup his sac. He began pumping into her hand in earnest.
“Damn, your hands are so fucking soft. They drive me crazy.” He moaned as if he were in pain. “Baby, I can’t wait.”
“Good. Fill me,” she murmured.
“Ride me,” he responded, kicking his boxers all the way off and flipping them so that she was on top of him.
Going up on her knees, Josinia took hold of his erection, aligned him with her center, and sank down on him, using her vaginal muscles to squeeze his cock in the process.
“Oh my damn!” he yelled, surging up into her. “Ride it, baby, like you mean it.”
And ride him she did. Planting both hands on his chest, she bounced up and down on his cock, using every vaginal muscle she possessed to her advantage. It was a wonder they didn’t break the bed with the workout they were giving it. They were like two possessed beings racing toward completion.
Tek had grabbed her hips, setting the pace. She loved when he took control. He liked to talk dirty to her. The best thing about her man was that he backed up every dirty word he said to her. He lifted up and sucked her nipple into his mouth. Head thrown back, she detonated all over his cock.
“I love you,” she screamed out over her orgasm.
“Love you, too, baby,” he shouted, shooting his sperm into her. Each squirt of his seed set off another wave of orgasm through her.
She collapsed on top of him. “You sure know how to give a woman a ride,” she panted.
“I’m glad you think so. My turn, sweetness.” He chuckled, flipping her underneath him.
“Again?”
“Again, baby. Just ride it out,” he said, thrusting back and forth into her. By the time he collapsed on top of her again, his cell phone was ringing.
Riding the Waves: TEKSUEN (The Agency Book 1) Page 5