by D. Camille
“How do you know how I'm looking at you?” she inquired.
“I feel you.”
“Hmmm...that's funny.”
“Why?”
“Because I feel you too and you aren't even looking at me,” she whispered.
“That's because if I look at you, I will be feeling you...literally, thereby creating a misunderstanding with your brother.”
Sage turned to look out the window. She'd never been in this area, probably because she didn't know any billionaires. As they approached a wooded area she took in the beautiful scenery. Suddenly a huge house on a hill came into view. Jordan turned the car up towards the house.
“This is you?” she asked.
He smiled. “Yep, this is me.”
“The Gods!” Her eyes widened as they came closer. Sage was in complete awe as they pulled into a five car garage connected on the house. Jordan parked the car in the bay and cut the engine. Sage was still speechless as he came around and opened the door for her. She looked at the shiny cars all lined in a row as he got the groceries from the trunk. She spotted one black car that was exquisitely beautiful.
“What type of car is that?” she asked.
Jordan looked over. “That's my baby. My Bugatti. Nobody touches that.”
“It looks expensive.”
Jordan shrugged. “A little under three.”
“Three what?”
He picked up the bags. “Three million.”
“Dollars?” she exclaimed.
Jordan laughed and led her through the mud room into the kitchen. It was the most beautiful kitchen Sage had ever been in. She was afraid to cook in it and told him so.
“It's just a kitchen Sage,” he said sitting the groceries on an island the size of Ray's entire kitchen almost.
“That's easy for you to say, what if I break something?” she asked warily.
“Then I'll replace it. Don't worry about that.” He looked over at her. “Please. Make yourself at home.”
Home. Sage had never even been in a home like this. Sure she'd traveled the world but this was on a whole different level. You could fit their entire house back in Senegal in this kitchen.
“Do you mind if I take a shower and change?” he asked.
“No. Not at all,” Sage said distracted still admiring the kitchen.
“Okay. When I come back, I'll give you the tour,” he said disappearing around a corner.
The Gods! Sage kept screaming in her head. he knew Jordan was very wealthy but this was ridiculous. She walked over to the fridge that looked like it belonged in a restaurant and not someone's kitchen. She found the pots, pans and utensils after a vigorous hide and seek expedition. There had to be sixty cabinets in this kitchen. She finally got everything cooking and Jordan returned wearing a spandex Jordan shirt and Jordan sweatpants. His shirt spread tightly across his taunt chest and his sweatpants rode low on his hips.
“Hi Sage,” he said smiling at her.
“Hi Jordan.”
“You look good in my kitchen.”
“Don't get any ideas brother. I offered one meal,” she said with sass.
“Hmmm...we'll see,” he murmured. “Would you like to see the rest of the house?”
Sage was dying to see this masterpiece. “Yes.”
As they went from room to room Sage was more in awe each time. The design was magnificent. The house was twelve thousand square feet with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a media room, a game room, Jordan's home office, formal living room, formal dining room and workout room. Outdoors was a pool, outdoor kitchen, dining and living area.
“You live here all alone?” Sage asked.
“Yeah.”
“Why do you have a house so big?”
“I grew up in a house bigger than this,” he explained.
“Wow! I grew up in a house smaller than some of the rooms in this house.”
“I'm accustomed to space. I don't like to be crowded.”
“Well you certainly shouldn't have that problem here,” she joked.
He led her back to the kitchen and she checked on her dishes. Jordan watched her scurry around his kitchen checking pots and something in the oven that smelled delicious. Speaking of delicious, Sage looked delicious in her dress. He wanted to just whip it over her head and uncover the treasures underneath.
“Not too much longer,” she announced leaning back against the counter.
“You're right,” he said coming to stand in front of her. “Not too much longer.”
She looked up at him. “For what?”
“For me to touch you,” he answered. “To kiss you.”
“What about your understanding?” she whispered.
He reached up to her hair and started unloosening her twists.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I like your hair down,” he said huskily as he continued to unravel her hair. She stood still as he took it all down. When he was done he lifted her face to his.
“I'm going to have to bite the bullet pretty girl and tell your brother that I want to date you.”
“Is that what you want? To date me?” she asked.
He stared down at her for a moment. “Yes, very much.”
“But before I risk my life, you have to tell me if this is what you want.”
“Does dating me mean having sex?” she asked candidly.
“How do you want me to answer that?”
“Truthfully.”
He moved her hair away from her face exposing her neck. “Truthfully, yes I want to make love to you Sage, but that will be your choice.”
“And if I wasn't ready to have sex would you still want to date me?” she whispered looking away from him.
“Sage,” he waited for her to look at him. “I don't just want to have sex with you pretty girl. You think I'd go through all of what I'm about to go through just for sex?”
“You make me feel things. You make me think about things. You make me think about you, all the time.”
“So my answer is yes. If you're not ready to make love I still want to date you.”
She smiled. “I think about you too Jordan, all the time.”
“Well, now we are getting somewhere.” He pressed closer against her. “Do you want to date me?”
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly.
“And?” he prompted.
“And I want to share physical love with you when we're better...acquainted?” she offered.
He shook his head. “That's fair.”
“What can we share now?” he asked pressing even closer.
The oven sounded at that moment.
“Dinner,” she answered.
Chapter 7
Sage and Jordan ate dinner at the outdoor dining space. After Sage had commented how much she loved the pool and the sound of water because it reminded her of home, Jordan had moved everything outside for them to dine. Sage relived their moments in the kitchen prior to dinner. Jordan wanted to date her. It still boggled her mind. This beautiful man who could have his choice of women at his beck and call wanted to date her. She was sure all Jordan had to do was snap his fingers and women would willingly comply.
“Jordan if we start dating, will you also be dating other women?” she asked across the table.
Jordan studied her face. “When we start dating Sage, there's no need for me to date other women,” he responded.
She reached for her glass of juice and stared down at its contents.
“What if Ray doesn’t agree?”
Jordan sat his fork down on the table. “I'm not asking him Sage. I'm telling him that I'm going to date you. I'm not trying to get his approval. I'm only telling him out of respect for our friendship.”
She sat her glass back down. “I don't want to be the cause of strife between the two of you.”
“You won't.”
She looked back at him. “You don't know that.”
“You said in the kitchen that you want to be with me, right?” he quest
ioned.
“Yes.”
“Then let me handle your brother,” he stated. “Come here.” He held out his hand to her.
Sage exited her seat and came around the table. Jordan pushed his chair back and gently pulled her down on his lap.
Looking into her face he said, “I promise you. I will handle it. Okay?”
She touched her hand to his bearded cheek. “Okay,” she said softy. “And Jordan?”
“Yes?”
“When we start dating you will not lie to me to my face again. Understand?”
He looked taken aback. “When did I lie to you Sage?”
She gave him a look. “The price for leasing the space for my gallery?”
He shrugged and shook his head. “I didn't lie to you. Sean lied to you,” he said smiling.
She didn't smile. “Seriously Jordan, I need you to treat me like my own person. I don't need to be taken care of all the time.”
Jordan rubbed his hand along her hip where he held her on his lap. “You couldn't afford the space.”
“Then just tell me that,” she said softly. “I'm a big girl. I can handle life.”
“I just wanted you to be happy,” he said simply.
She lifted his face to hers. “Jordan giving someone everything they want doesn't guarantee happiness. People can't have everything. Being with you makes me happy. You've promised that you will make that happen and I believe you. I don't want anything else.”
“So you want me to cancel the lease?”
“Hell nah! I was talking about for future reference. That's prime real estate,” she said smiling.
Jordan threw back his head in laughter. “Okay baby. I hear you,” he said looking into her eyes.
Sage cradled his face in both of her hands. “Just in case things don't go that well with Ray, we should do this now,” she said before covering his mouth with hers.
At the initial touch of Sage's lips Jordan's entire body stiffened. He had not been expecting this but it was right on time. Her lips were like two plush pillows against his. She took her tongue and outlined his lips and then it was on.
Jordan took over the kiss devouring her mouth and when she opened it to him he knew he'd entered ecstasy. Her mouth was soft and welcoming with the taste of the juice she'd sipped with her dinner. He heard her moan and she wiggled on his lap burrowing deeper into him making his manhood rise even more. Pulling her closer he continued to engage her tongue until they could no longer breathe. He continued pressing tiny kisses on her lips. He could kiss her forever.
“Was that a goodbye kiss?” he asked his voice rough with passion.
She shook her head. “No. It was a make sure you handle your business kiss.”
“I think I need more instruction,” he said taking her mouth once more.
Jordan and Sage kissed for a while longer, then cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen. As they prepared for him to take her home Jordan opened the car door for her, but before she could get in he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Looking down into her face he commented, “Your lips are swollen.”
Sage put a hand to her lips. She was sure they were because Jordan had nibbled, sucked, tasted and bitten on them for the last hour. “I'm sure they are,” she said smiling.
“So if I do this, it really won't make a difference.” He lowered his head. Sage wrapped her arms around his neck. Jordan could kiss her forever, she thought. He had a way of kissing her where she felt it all the way to her toes. She held on for the ride as he continued to make her lose her thoughts. When he finally pulled away she moaned in protest.
“I have to take you home baby. You have an eleven o'clock curfew,” he said against her lips.
“You're the one who started this,” she admonished.
He shook his head. “No. Actually you were the one who started this,” he said smiling.
She licked out her tongue at him.
“Don't start again now,” he warned. “Get in the car pretty girl.”
Sage turned and got inside. After they pulled out of the garage Jordan took her hand and brought it to his lips and she turned and smiled at him. He realized that thing in his chest was just a permanent fixture whenever he was with Sage. Sage reached for the stereo with her other hand. She found John Legend's Tonight and let it play. She looked over at Jordan who glanced back at her.
“Yeah, I know,” he said softly turning back to the road.
When they arrived at Ray's house, she turned to him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked.
Jordan turned to her. “After what you just did to me at my house you can ask me that?”
“Stop whining. You liked it,” she teased.
“Yeah, and after tonight we'll see who likes what and just how much.”
She looked shocked at his statement. He laughed as he got out the car and came to help her out.
When they got inside the house Ray was on the sofa watching basketball.
“Hey Sun God, I'm back,” she greeted.
Ray turned to look at her. “Hey.”
“Well I'm tired. I'm going to bed,” she announced heading towards the stairs. “Goodnight guys.”
“Goodnight,” both men said at the same time.
When Sage had disappeared Jordan took a seat in the chair across from the sofa where Ray sat.
Ray glanced at him then grabbed the remote and muted the television.
“What's up Jay?” he asked.
Jordan looked him in the eye. “Sage and I are going to start dating.”
Ray lowered his head and sat in silence for a few moments before bringing his gaze back to Jordan; when he did it was deadly.
“So...you think you just gone waltz your ass in here and tell me that you planning to smash my sister? Is that right?” he demanded.
Jordan took a deep breath, leaned over and clasped his hands between his knees. “I'm not telling you that I'm going to smash your sister. I'm telling you that Sage and I have feelings for one another and we're going to explore them,” Jordan explained.
“Don't word the shit differently. I went to Stanford too. You want to smash my sister and you think I'm going to sit here and watch you do it?”
Ray jumped up from his seat and Jordan watched him closely. “Damn Jay, I asked you what was going on.”
Jordan stood as well. “And I told you the truth Ray. Nothing had happened with your sister and I was trying to figure out my feelings for her.”
“Had?” Ray turned to Jordan. “Did you just say had?” he thundered. “What the hell did you do to my sister?”
Jordan ran a hand down his face. Yeah, this was going to be difficult.
“You touched her? You kissed her? You fu-”
“Ray!” Jordan cut him off. “Your sister is a grown woman capable of making her own choices.”
“Oh, I'm sorry Jay. Do you have a baby sister I can smash?”
“Seriously Ray?”
“Why my sister Jay? All these damn women out here? Why. My. Sister?” he asked each word slowly.
“I don't know Ray!” Jordan threw his hands up. “She's different. She’s special,” he replied.
“You think I didn't try to fight this? I didn't try to resist it?” he questioned. “But I can't anymore. I don't want to.”
Ray turned to the wall with his fists balled. “I really want to kick your ass right now Jay. I mean like really kick your got damn ass!” he growled.
“I know,” Jordan said to his back. “I won't hurt your sister Ray. I promise you.”
As Ray faced the wall he thought to himself, this was his friend; his boy, his brother. He and Jordan had been through lots together. When he was first starting his security firm, Jordan had sought him out and given him a chance. Jordan's business had made his business as successful as it was now. Jordan always looked out for him and vice versa. Sage certainly could do worse, that's for sure, but his sister...and his boy? Yeah, this was going to be difficult.
&n
bsp; He turned and walked over to Jordan and the two stood toe to toe.
“If you cheat on my sister...If you put your hands on her... If you hurt her in any way...Black Diamond's C.E.O. will be D.O.A. I promise you,” he whispered.
Jordan nodded. “Ray, if I cheat on your sister...if I put my hands on her...if I hurt her in any way...I deserve whatever you do to me.”
The two men stood eye to eye for a few moments until Ray nodded his head and walked back to sit on the sofa before Jordan took the chair.
“I need to add her to my security detail,” Jordan announced. “I know you probably have some on her now, but I want it upgraded and charged to Black Diamond.” What few people knew is that Jordan had round the clock security following his every move. They were paid to be invisible. They were paid to be invincible. And they did their jobs well.
“Done,” Ray said focused on the television.
“You've secured the gallery already?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“Anything else?” Jordan asked.
“Nope,” Ray said still staring at the television.
“Are we cool?” Jordan asked.
Ray turned to him then. “Hell nah Jay. This ain't cool to me. It might never be.” He turned back to the television.
Jordan sighed and stood. He looked at Ray one more time before heading to the door.
“Jay?” Jordan stopped but didn't turn around.
“Don't make me regret not kicking your ass tonight,” Ray threatened.
Jordan nodded and kept walking out the door.
Jordan got inside his car and blew out a long breath. Ray was his boy. They had a long history together. Now he'd put their relationship on the rocks. Had he made the right decision? Was it worth it?
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a light. He looked up and saw Sage in the window. She waved at him and smiled. He waved back then touched his lips thinking back on tonight. That thing in his chest told him – hell yeah, she's worth it.
**********
The next morning Jordan was meeting with Sean in his office. He sat in his chair behind his desk.
“Last night I told Ray that I'm dating Sage.”
“What?”
“I told Ray I'm dating Sage,” he repeated.