by Pamela Yaye
Besides, they had little in common. Jariah was a creature of habit who lived by a schedule, while Nicco liked to wing it and craved spontaneity. He loved going out, partying with his friends, but she preferred relaxing at home watching movies and reading romance novels. It was his way or the highway, and they butted heads at least once a day. Add to that his collection of freaky ex-lovers who were on call and ready to satisfy his needs faster than a New York minute. It was just a matter of time before their differences tore them apart, and she didn’t want Ava to get hurt. Her daughter adored Nicco and if he walked out of her life six months down the road she’d be devastated.
“On Friday, you have a ten o’clock dress fitting at Chanel,” he explained. “After lunch, you’re going to Destination Wellness for some serious pampering. Think you can handle that very difficult assignment?”
“Nicco, I can’t blow my check on spa treatments.”
“I know, but I can.” He flashed a sly wink. “Consider it an early birthday present.”
“My birthday is six months away.”
“You don’t say?”
Jariah sighed. There was no use arguing with him. Stubborn and headstrong, he’d find a way to convince her and in the end she’d cave. But she wasn’t sticking him with an exorbitant shopping bill. She’d pay for her outfit for the party. It was only fair. I hope the Chanel boutique has a clearance section.
“I feel like eating buttery popcorn.” Nicco gestured at the movie theater. “You game?”
Jariah scanned the lit marquee board. “I’m not interested in seeing any of the movies playing. They’re either action flicks or animations.”
“I figured as much, so I planned something extraspecial for you.”
“You did? What is it?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
His grin was irresistible. And when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her right up to his chest, a dreamy sigh escaped her lips.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he praised.
The kiss came out of nowhere. At the feel of his mouth pressed firmly against hers, her body trembled, quivered and shook. Desire built, consuming her body whole. Nicco was arrogant and flamboyant, everything Jariah didn’t want in a man, but he made her feel things she’d never experienced before—a passion so intense it paralyzed her. And his touch was divine, the best thing to ever happen to her.
They kissed in the middle of the street without a care in the world for what felt like hours. Nipping at her bottom lip, he captured it between his teeth, and gave it a flick with his tongue. “We better head inside,” he said smoothly. “Our movie is about to start.”
Paragon Theaters was crowded, packed to the brim with eager moviegoers, and the scent of cinnamon pretzels and nacho cheese was heavy in the air. After a trip to the concession area, Jariah had more candy than a trick-or-treater, and when Nicco ribbed her for spending all of his hard-earned money on junk food, she laughed and gave him a shot in the ribs.
Theater twelve was empty, but Nicco suggested they sit in the last row. During the previews, they chatted about dinner and fed each other Skittles. When the lights dimmed, they switched off their cell phones and made themselves comfortable.
The moment Jariah read the words that appeared on the screen, she immediately recognized the movie as Poetic Justice. “I can’t believe they’re showing this movie,” Jariah said excitedly. “If I had known it was playing, I would’ve told my girlfriends! They love Tupac, too!”
“Baby, this is a private screening.”
“A private screening?” Realization dawned, and her eyes widened. “You rented out the theater so I could watch my favorite movie?”
“Of course I did. You know I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
Electricity crackled in the air, and something came over Jariah. Something that made her feel feverish, wanton and sexy. Touched by his thoughtfulness and his kind, heartfelt words, Jariah leaned over and kissed his lips. A slow, lingering kiss that took Nicco by surprise. For a moment, Jariah forgot everything—the movie, her doubts, her fears about the future—and focused on pleasing the man holding her in his arms. She didn’t care that they were in a movie theater or that an usher could walk in any moment and catch them making out. Jariah was going to have Nicco tonight, and nothing was going to stop her.
The spicy cologne stimulated her senses, energizing and invigorating her. Her body caught fire, and her heart beat quickened. His kisses were her weakness, his caresses her downfall. The moment his hands touched her skin, her willpower evaporated, her insides turned to mush and her nipples hardened inside her bra. Her mind and body were at war, duking it out like two heavyweight boxers in a Las Vegas ring.
And though her thoughts confused her, in the end her flesh won out. Jariah wanted a quickie—hot, fast, exhilarating sex—and Nicco was just the man to give it to her. She needed this, and if his sex was like the way he kissed, she was going to have the most explosive orgasm ever.
The lights from the movie illuminated the expression on Nicco’s face. Want shone in his eyes, and his grin hinted at things to come. Reclaiming her lips, he crushed his mouth to hers. Overcome, Jariah lost count of how many times they kissed. She felt crazed, like a sex addict locked away in rehab, and yearned to feel him inside her. His kisses tasted that good, that sweet. Using the tip of his tongue, he tickled her earlobe, drew circles across her neck and licked her collarbone. Jariah felt his hand under her shirt stroking her warm, quivering skin. He cupped her breasts, and they spilled out over the top of her bra.
He fondled and caressed her breasts as if he were worshipping them, but he never took his eyes off her face. “You have beautiful breasts,” he said, his expression one of awe and wonder. “They’re full and luscious and perfect.”
Playfully, he pinched and tweaked her nipples. Heat rushed to Jariah’s core. And when Nicco trailed a finger up from her thigh to her sex and massaged her throbbing clit through her panties, she wanted to climb into his lap and ride him until he said her name.
Thrusting her hips against his hand, she willed him to put her out of her misery, to touch and stroke her wetness. Nicco slid a finger inside her, and then another. Moans exploded from Jariah’s lips. She griped the armrest and rotated her hips. In and out, in a slow, erotic pace, his long, deft fingers worked their magic.
Exhilarated, Jariah tossed her head back and screamed her pleasure. Not once, not twice, but three ear-splitting times. It wasn’t one of her finest moments, but she couldn’t control her mouth or stop the tremors racking her inflamed body. The tingling sensation in her clit walloped her, pushed her to the brink. Jariah couldn’t believe it, and was convinced this was nothing more than an erotic dream. But then her orgasm hit, and her body spiraled out of control, proving that her secret fantasies about her suave, sexy boss had finally come true.
Deep, savage groans fell from Jariah’s lips, and several minutes passed before her legs quit trembling and the room stopped spinning around her. A heady, euphoric sensation washed over her. It made her feel light-headed, and left her unable to speak. Her mouth was dry, her lips were stuck together and her skin felt clammy and hot. Her limbs felt heavy with fatigue, but Jariah was so anxious for more she climbed onto Nicco’s lap and clamped her thick thighs around his waist. “I need to feel you inside me. Here. Now,” she panted, her words a desperate plea.
Straddling him, she pressed her body flat against his and massaged his broad, muscled shoulders. She stroked his chest, marveling at his chiseled upper body, and drooled over his rock-hard pecs and abs.
She buried her hands in his hair and cradled him to her chest like a mother nursing her child. He mashed her breasts together, and then slowly sucked each dark chocolate bud into his mouth. Nicco licked her nipples, kissing and nipping each one. It was a sensual, erotic game, and each flick of his tongue made Jariah moan louder and
longer. Her clit was throbbing, dripping wet, and her body quivered in eager anticipation.
Pleasure built and rose to impossible heights.
“Do you have a condom in your wallet?”
“I do.” The sound of his voice yanked Jariah out of her sexual haze.
Jariah dropped her gaze to his lap and licked her lips lasciviously. She unbuckled his pants, and eagerly worked her fingers over the tip of his shaft, impressed by its staggering width and length. He then pulled a condom from his wallet, removing the wrapper and sliding it down his long, thick erection.
Nicco drew his hands along her thighs, hiked up her flouncy, floral skirt and pushed aside her panties. As Jariah lowered herself onto his erection, she felt strong and sexy. Clamping her legs around him, she slowly rocked her hips back and forth.
“Damn, baby, you feel amazing. So tight and wet, I could love you like this all night.”
Love me all night? Please do!
Clutching her hips in a viselike grip, he gave quick, fast thrusts. He ground himself against her clit and used his mouth and tongue to lick her earlobes. On and on it went, until Jariah was a shivering, bumbling mess. She cursed and screamed, bucked and cooed. Nicco wore a devilish grin, but never let up, only plunged deeper inside her. He alternated between slow circles and powerful thrusts that took her breath away. And just when Jariah was sure she’d had enough, he’d start the wicked, delicious pattern all over again.
His touch was divine ecstasy, as addictive as French wine. Nicco was an amazing lover, a man who knew how to arouse and please a woman, and Jariah knew that no one else would ever be able to compare to him.
Their lovemaking was wild, frenzied, but Nicco spoke in a soft, tender voice. “Ti amo, e io sono al cento per cento pronti a impegnarsi per voi...”
Her temperature spiked, and her body burned out of control. An insane rush of pleasure gripped her. Jariah couldn’t think straight, couldn’t make sense of what Nicco was saying. It couldn’t possibly be true. Not after just one date, could it? He’d had too much to drink at dinner. He was tipsy, talking crazy, that had to be it. Why else would he say the words, “I love you, and I’m a hundred percent ready to commit to you,” over and over again?
A shiver skidded down her spine. Jariah closed her eyes, and fought the tremors raking her damp, sweaty body. She was floating, weightless, soaring high above the clouds. Quivering, she gripped his shoulders and furiously pumped her legs like a horse jockey.
Jariah jerked and shuddered. She felt his erection growing inside her, filling her. Surrendering to her orgasm, she climaxed and collapsed like a ton of bricks against his chest. Shaken, she clung to him, panting each breath.
“Non ho mai saputo che eri un hellcat.”
Raising her eyes to his face, she curled her lips in an angry pout. “I’m not a hellcat, Nicco, and just so you know, I’ve never, ever had sex on a first date.”
“I know, baby, I’m just teasing. And just so you know, I loved every minute of it.”
His fingers caressed her face with loving tenderness, and Jariah covered his hands with her own. It was in that moment—with their eyes locked and their bodies intertwined—that she knew, deep in her soul, that her life would never ever be the same again.
“Spend the night with me,” he whispered, pressing his lips against hers. “I want to wake up tomorrow morning with you by my side.”
Staring at him longingly, she felt an inaudible moan escape her lips. Jariah was anxious to get to Nicco’s house, but she didn’t let her excitement show on her face. Standing, she straightened her clothes, grabbed her handbag, and sashayed past him with a seductive swish of her hips. “I’m ready when you are.”
Chapter 15
Yanked out of her sleep by a shrill, deafening noise, Jariah awoke and shot straight up in bed. Disorientated, she clutched the black satin sheet to her chest and glanced around at her surroundings. Her body was aching, her thoughts were cloudy and her head was pounding.
Next time, I’ll drink less wine and more water.
Sunshine poured into the master bedroom through the open balcony doors, filling the space with warmth, light and fresh air. The scent of orange juice made Jariah’s mouth water, and the sound of R & B music—a raunchy, explicit Robin Thicke number—made her wonder if she was, in fact, still dreaming. But then her gaze fell across the empty box of Magnum condoms on the bedside table, and she remembered her all-night sexcapade with her insatiable boss. It all came flooding back—her tryst with Nicco in the movie theater, their romantic stroll along the beach and returning to his estate in the wee hours of the morning. Where is Nicco?
Yawning, she swung her tired legs over the side of the bed and stretched her hands high above her head. A massage would hit the spot, and at the thought of Nicco kneading and stroking her body goose bumps erupted across her skin. It was amazing the effect he had on her, how desperate she was for him after only one night of lovemaking.
As Jariah stood, she spotted a piece of white paper lying where Nicco should have been.
I went for a run. Be back in time to make you breakfast.
Excitement and joy bubbled inside her. Only Nicco could make her feel this good, this happy. Last night, after making love for the third spellbinding time, they’d snuggled in each other’s arms and talked for hours. No subject was off-limits and the crazy, outrageous stories Nicco told her about his teenage years made Jariah giggle.
Voices filled the air, drawing her gaze to the open doors. Hoping to catch sight of Nicco jogging around his estate, Jariah pushed aside the curtains, and stepped out onto the balcony. “Wow, talk about gorgeous,” she gushed, shaking her head in awe.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, she marveled at the size of Nicco’s opulent bachelor pad. Groundskeepers rushed about watering the lawn, trimming the shrubs and planting flowers.
Jariah heard her cell phone ring from somewhere in the master bedroom, but didn’t know the first place to look. Returning inside, she frantically searched under the bed, the sitting area and the master bathroom. She couldn’t find it anywhere. As she wandered around the room, trying to remember the last time she had her cell phone, Jariah noticed the outfit she wore yesterday hanging up in front of the closet door. Desperate to make love to Nicco last night, she’d tossed her sleeveless blouse and floral skirt on the floor, but to her surprise her clothes didn’t look wrinkled or dirty. In fact, they looked clean, spotless.
Curious, she closed her eyes, and buried her nose in her Kate Spade blouse. It smelled like lavender fabric softener and had been ironed. What a sweetheart! she thought, and a girlish smile warmed her lips. Jariah wondered when Nicco had found the time to wash her clothes, and as she dressed made a mental note to thank him.
For the second time in minutes, her cell phone rang. Moving to the bed, Jariah dropped to the floor and searched around on her hands and knees. Bingo! Mrs. Covington’s number appeared on the screen, but Jariah didn’t panic. She knew it was Ava calling to check in, and greeted her daughter warmly. “Good morning, sweetie. How are you? Are you having a good time with Grandma and Grandpa?”
“No. I want to go home.” Her voice wobbled with emotion. “I want to eat pancakes and bacon for breakfast, but Grandma said, ‘no.’”
“Ava, that’s no reason to cry.”
“It’s not my fault I’m a big-boned girl, is it, Mama? Big-boned girls are pretty, too, right?”
Jariah stared down at the phone, confused and bewildered by her daughter’s words. “Honey, what are you talking about? Who said you were a big-boned girl?”
“Grandma Stella. She said big-boned people like me have no business eating bacon, and gave me a bowl of yucky oatmeal instead. Gross! I hate oatmeal.”
Fighting mad, Jariah struggled to control her temper. Where did Wesley’s mother get off insulting her baby? Had the woman lost her ever-l
oving mind? Jariah wasn’t going to wait to find out. She was going to pick up Ava, and if Stella didn’t like it, that was just too bad. Maybe next time she’d keep her big mouth shut and her offensive comments to herself. “Don’t worry, baby girl. Everything will be fine.”
“The other kids are calling me Big-Boned Ava.”
“Where is Grandma Stella now?” Jariah asked through clenched teeth.
“Sitting in the sun room with her friends. They’re eating brownies, but they won’t let me have any,” she complained.
“Ava, politely ask Grandma Stella to come to the phone.”
“Are you going to come get me, Mom? I promise to be a good girl,” she said. “I’ll clean my room and vacuum the house...”
Jariah’s heart split in two as she heard her daughter beg and plead. “I’ll be there soon, I promise, but first let me talk to Grandma Stella.”
“Okay. Hold on.”
Jariah heard a rustling sound, boisterous female laughter, and then an eerie silence.
“Yes,” Mrs. Covington drawled, sounding annoyed. “What would you like?”
“I’m coming to get Ava. Please have her ready to go in an hour.”
“I will do no such thing. She is having a lovely time playing with my friends’ grandkids, and is on her way to join the others in the pool.”
Jariah repeated herself, speaking louder this time. “I said, I’m coming to pick up my daughter. What part of that don’t you understand?”
“You can drive all the way out here if you want to but security won’t let you pass through the gates. And think of how embarrassed Ava would be if you came down here and caused a scene. Is that what you want, Jariah? To embarrass your only daughter?”
Jariah wished she could reach through the phone and wring Mrs. Covington’s bony neck. She thought of calling Wesley and raising hell, but knew her ex would never stand up to his mother. In his eyes, she could do no wrong. Jariah didn’t care if she had to walk to the Covington estate, she was going to pick up her daughter and no one was going to stop her. “What time will your friends be leaving?”