Black Magic (The Black Diamond Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  “I’m going to hurt you Jay!” Ray threatened.

  “No! You’re not. You’re going to mind your own damn business,” Jordan said in a deadly tone.

  When Sean opened the door to Jordan’s office that’s how he found the two men. The tension in the room was palpable. When Sean had been informed that Ray was on the floor meeting with Jordan he’d suspected this just might not be a social call so he’d headed to Jordan’s office. When Jordan’s secretary had informed him that Jordan had instructed for her to call security in fifteen minutes if he had not contacted her before then, Sean had immediately entered the office and now witnessed the current scene.

  “Okay guys. This is not going to solve anything.” Sean interjected coming over to where they were.

  “Stay out of it Sean!” They both shouted at the same time.

  Sean lifted his hands. “Okay. I’m just saying I’m not trying to break up anything physical.”

  Ray directed his attention back to Jordan.

  “I’ve taken care of Sage since she was five years old! Now you think just because you’ve walked your ass into the picture, I’m just going to disappear? Nah bruh….hell nah.”

  Jordan tilted his head. “I’m not asking you to disappear Ray, I’m telling you to mind your own business.”

  Ray stepped closer. “And just what the hell are you going to do about it Jay?”

  Oh hell, Sean thought.

  Jordan stood tall. “Whatever I need to,” he responded in low harsh voice.

  Sean looked between the two men. The gloves were definitely off. He wondered if he should alert security now.

  “So you’re threatening me?” Ray asked appalled.

  Jordan looked at him. “You threaten me every time I see you Ray! What the hell are you talking about?”

  “This is my sister Jay!” he yelled. “I love that girl with my life!”

  “I love that woman with my life too Ray!” he yelled back.

  Impasse. Sean watched as the two men stared at each other. Didn’t they realize that they both loved Sage and wanted the best for her? Didn’t they know that by hurting each other they’d both be hurting her? Well, they’d have to figure it out on their own because he wasn’t saying another word. He was just there to be the witness and give a statement.

  Always wanting to control a situation, Jordan responded first. “I don’t expect you to walk away Ray,” he said in a calmer voice. “But you will give us some damn space. She’s a grown woman.”

  Ray calmed a little. Very little. “Respect Jay. That’s all I’m saying. Respect my sister.”

  Jordan nodded. “Possibly if you would’ve come in saying that, we wouldn’t have gotten to this point.”

  Ray looked puzzled. “What the hell did you think I was saying Jay?”

  Jordan stepped away and moved back to his desk. “It’s not always what you say Ray. It’s the manner in which you say it.”

  Jordan took his seat and continued. “Look, I love your sister. There is nothing I won’t do for her. I will never disrespect her in any way.”

  He paused rubbing his chin then said, “We gotta work this out man.”

  Ray took a seat in the chair and Sean gave a sigh of relief, but remained standing just in case.

  “Look Jay, I know she’s grown, but she’s still vulnerable. She hasn’t been out there like the women we know,” he said leaning forward. “I need you to be on point Jay. No slipping.” He gave Jordan a pointed look. “And you know you slipped this morning.”

  Jordan stared at his friend while swaying side to side in his chair. Finally he said, “I did. I can admit that.” Ray leaned back in his chair.

  Jordan continued. “But we can’t keep doing this Ray, because eventually we will hurt one another.” He stopped swaying. “And that would hurt Sage. That’s something I promised her I would never do again.”

  Finally some common damn sense appearing, Sean thought to himself.

  “I’m cool with that Jay,” Ray responded. “Still not cool with you and Sage, but I’m cool with not trying to kill each other.”

  Ray looked at Sean and then at Jordan. “Because we all know who’s really capable of killing somebody,” he said cryptically.

  *********

  After his conversation with Ray, Jordan went down to the gallery. He spotted Sage and Lily placing easels to display her photographs. Sage turned and rushed over to him.

  She looked up at him nervously. “How’d it go?” she asked warily.

  Jordan took hand and led her towards her office. Once there he lowered his head kissed her sweetly on the lips.

  “Is that a goodbye kiss?” she whispered.

  “Hell no! Why would you think that?” he asked looking down at her.

  “I just know Ray is a lot to deal with just to be with me.”

  He lifted her face to his. “I can handle Ray,” he stated. “Sage, nothing or no one could make me leave you. Understand?”

  She shook her head. He noticed that she was wearing a thin sleeveless turtleneck and dress slacks.

  “Let me see those marks,” he said frowning.

  Sage looked at him for a moment then grabbed the hem of her shirt and whipped it over her head.

  “Awww....damn,” he said when he saw the red splotches on her beautiful skin. No wonder Ray wanted to check him. He touched a hand to her neck. “I’m sorry baby.”

  Sage shook her head. “They don’t hurt. They actually look worse than they really are,” Sage explained.

  His hand moved down across her breasts in a black push up bra and across her stomach. “I’m so sorry,” he said again bending to examine the marks across her stomach.

  She took his face in her hands. “Jordan. I liked it. I loved it!” she said placing her lips on his. Jordan picked her up and carried her over to the sofa in her office still kissing her. When he sat down with her on his lap he broke off the kiss. Staring into her beautiful brown eyes he raised a hand and ran his thumb across her lips. “I should have been gentler,” he said softly.

  “You didn’t hurt me Jordan,” she responded softly. “I never imagined physical love could be so amazing.”

  He kissed her again. “It’s amazing with you Sage.”

  She smiled at him and he smiled back. “I want you to come home with me this evening so you can soak in the hot tub.”

  She gave him a sexy look. “Okay.”

  “For the marks, Sage. Not any freaky stuff,” he clarified.

  “No freaky stuff?” she asked skeptically.

  Jordan smiled. “Yeah. You’re right. There will be freaky stuff.” Sage laughed.

  “I'll get to experience the Black Magic under water,” she purred.

  Jordan quieted for a minute studying her then said, “You know, you have your own black magic going on. You should change your last name to Black,” he commented.

  Sage looked at him, “Change my name to Black?” she asked confused. “Why would I do that?”

  Jordan shrugged. “Because you’d be my wife,” he answered simply watching her.

  She stared at him. “Jordan what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I want to marry you pretty girl.”

  She jumped off of his lap and crossed the room. “Is Ray making you do this?”

  Jordan stood to his feet. “Ray?” he asked confused.

  “Yes! He knows now that we’ve shared physical love. Is he trying to make you marry me?”

  “Sage do you really think your brother could make me marry you? And that I’d do it?” he questioned.

  She walked to retrieve her shirt and then put it back on. “I have things that I have to do Jordan,” she said heading to the door.

  Jordan blocked her exit.

  He looked down at her. “Now you know we aren’t leaving this room until we discuss this.”

  She kept her head down. “There is nothing to discuss.”

  He ran a hand down his face. “If you need me to say it Sage, my wanting to marry you has nothing
to do with your brother, and everything to do with the fact that there’s not another woman in this world that I ever want to be with besides you.”

  “Don’t do this Jordan,” she whispered.

  “Don’t do this Jordan. What the hell does that mean?” Jordan demanded.

  She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Please don’t mess this up.”

  “Don’t mess up what Sage?” he asked frustrated.

  “Us! Us Jordan. Don’t mess us up!” she pleaded.

  Jordan nodded his head. “So marrying me would mess us up?” he asked slowly.

  “Please Jordan. Can we talk about this later? I really have to get back out there.”

  Jordan watched her with his jaw tight. She thought he would continue to insist but he said,

  “You’re damn right we’ll talk about this later.”

  She moved to past him to get to the door and his arm wrapped around her waist.

  “I’ll be down to pick you up later,” he informed her. She shook her head without looking at him.

  He lifted her eyes to his. “I love you Sage.”

  “I love you too Jordan,” she whispered.

  He lowered his mouth to kiss her. Sage wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had within her. When she released him she looked at him and hurriedly ran out the door.

  Jordan couldn’t help but wonder if that was a goodbye kiss?

  Later that day after retrieving Sage from the gallery Jordan escorted her to the car. She was unusually quiet and reserved. Once they were both seated in the car he turned to her.

  “Hi Sage,” he said smiling at her.

  She looked over. “Hi Jordan.” Then she turned to look out of the window.

  He started the car and took off. After he'd driven for a little while he turned to her.

  “Are you mad at me because I asked you to marry me?”

  “I want to be with you Jordan. Forever,” she said turning back to him. “But I don't want to marry you.”

  “Please explain that to me Sage.”

  She sighed. “Jordan marriage changes people. It makes people think they own each other,” she explained. “I don't want to be owned. I just want to be loved.”

  Jordan pondered her words.

  “Not all marriages are like that Sage,” he told her. “Our marriage would be whatever you wanted it to be.”

  Sage stared out the windshield. “Jordan marrying you means marrying the Jordan Black of Black Diamond Holdings. Everything I did would be a reflection on you and in case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly the epitome of calm all the time.”

  She continued, “I'd be watched, scrutinized, and subjected to all types of critique.”

  Damn, Jordan thought. He'd never thought being married to him would come with all of that! He had to concede that Sage did have a point.

  “I'm not ready for all that,” she confessed.

  Jordan reached over and took her hand. “Okay baby. I hear you.” He brought her hand to his lips.

  “Thank you Jordan.” She smiled slightly. “I thought you were going to make this into a big fight.”

  “As long as we're together I'm cool,” he told her. “For now.” He gave her a pointed look.

  Sage shook her head. She noticed that Jordan was driving to his house.

  “Jordan, I need to stop by my apartment to get my bathing suit. Remember?” she said. She'd asked him to drop by to get it earlier and he'd just nodded.

  “I already picked up a new one for you,” he said not taking his eyes off the road.

  “Why would you pick up a new one, when I already have some at home?” she asked lifting a perfect eyebrow.

  Jordan kept his eyes straight on the road and shrugged. “I didn't like the ones you have at home.”

  Sage saw red. “I swear I'm going to kill you!” she growled.

  He smiled at her. “Now you sound like your brother.”

  Sage tossed him a look then folded her arms and looked out the window. Now, it was time to give Jordan a taste of his own medicine. While he continued to drive, she formulated her plan.

  They arrived at Jordan's house and entered through the garage into the kitchen. Sage volunteered to make dinner and as Jordan was turning to go take a shower she called his name.

  “Yes?” he stopped.

  She walked up to him smiling. “Do I get a kiss before you go upstairs?” she whispered.

  He smiled, lowered his head and kissed her. As he straightened Sage grabbed his shirt by the collar and pulled it apart all the way down with all her might. Buttons flew in all directions. The shirt was completely destroyed.

  “Sage! What the hell?” he yelled in astonishment.

  Sage shrugged, turned headed towards the refrigerator. “I'll buy you another one.” She opened the door and started grabbing the items for dinner. “I didn't like that shirt.”

  Sage knew how particular Jordan was about his clothing and this might just send him over the edge. However, she didn't care. Jordan needed to understand that he could not control everything. Especially with her.

  She turned and saw him still standing there in disbelief. “Still wanna marry me Jordan?” she asked with her hand on hip.

  He turned and went upstairs.

  Sage put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. The look on his face had been priceless. Jordan. Jordan. Jordan. She went back to making dinner with a smile on her face.

  Upstairs Jordan was still in disbelief that Sage had just destroyed his shirt for no damn reason. Oh, he understood she was trying to make a point but did the shirt have to suffer? He held the innocent garment in his hand. This was actually one of his favorite shirts too. He neatly folded it for the trash giving it one last glance before hitting the shower.

  When Jordan returned Sage had prepared a salad with a light meal. He tilted his head at her in salute. She smiled as he came around the table to hold out her seat. Once seated, they began to eat their meal. Jordan cut into the expertly prepared chicken and put a bite in his mouth. As he began to chew his face crinkled. Slowly, he chewed some more. He looked over at Sage who was happily enjoying her meal. He swallowed.

  “Uh, Sage did you put thyme in this chicken?” he asked licking his lips.

  Sage looked up. “Uh..huh. Sure did.” She smiled.

  “I don't like thyme. Remember?” he asked tilting his head.

  She shook her head. “Yeah I do,” she said reaching for her glass. “But it's good for you Jordan.” She smiled again.

  “Also I saw a documentary on how the Khemets actually used it for embalming. Isn't that crazy?” She shrugged her shoulders and went back to her meal.

  Jordan pushed his plate away from him and sat back in his chair watching her.

  “Okay what's next?”

  She looked innocently at him. “Whatever do you mean Jordan? What's next for what?”

  He stared at her.

  “Well,” She turned to him with big eyes. “I might have done a little somethin' somethin' to your Bugatti but I think... it needed it,” she said happily.

  “You don't have to thank me because I take care of you baby,” she said winking at him.

  The shock on Jordan's face was soon replaced by something else.

  “I swear Sage, if you did something to my car...I...I..” Jordan jumped from his chair and raced to the garage. Sage sat and continued her meal with a wide smile on her face.

  Ten minutes later Jordan returned to find Sage clearing the table.

  “Did you do something to my car?” he asked.

  Sage rolled her eyes. “I didn't touch your precious car Jordan,” she said walking into the kitchen and he followed.

  “Then why would you say you did?” he asked with his arms spread in question.

  “To make you spend ten minutes in your garage trying to figure out what I had done and why? Because I spend all damn day doing that with you!” She turned to him and folded her arms leaning back against the counter.
<
br />   They stared at each other from across the room.

  He slowly smiled at her. “I told you that you'd keep me in line.”

  Slowly he crossed the room to her. Hands around her waist he lifted her onto the counter stepping between her legs and watching her closely. Then he lowered his forehead to hers.

  “I'm sorry Sage,” he said softly. “I know I like things my way but I'm learning that you have a way of your own.”

  “Thank you Jordan.”

  “Damn baby. You are out cold. You want to tamper with a man's food and his car?” He pulled her to him. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Your chicken is in the oven. I didn't put the thyme on that part,” she told him.

  He shook his head. “I don't want chicken now,” he said against her lips.

  Against his lips she said, “What do you want now?”

  “You. In the hot tub,” he said lifting her off of the counter and moving outside.

  She locked her arms around his neck and looked into his dark eyes. “What about the bathing suit you bought?” she asked lifting an eyebrow.

  “I'll return it tomorrow.”

  “Class is over now, the pupil has learned his lesson,” she announced touching her lips to his.

  He pulled back. “Oh, and you're buying me another shirt. For real.”

  Chapter 16

  The night of Sage's Grand Opening had arrived. It was also Sage's birthday so the atmosphere was one of total celebration. The Black Diamond Building's lobby was decorated to accommodate guests filtering through the gallery. There was plenty of food, drinks and security as Jordan and Ray had made sure of it.

  Tonight Sage was the belle of the ball and she looked the part. She wore a one piece halter top jumpsuit that fitted her body to perfection. It was a deep red and complemented her golden complexion. Her hair was a perfect mass of curls with a slight off center part in the front. She wore four inch red heels with a French pedicure. She was the happiest girl in the world tonight. Jordan was there along with her brother Ray and her friend Lily. This was her new gallery and to top it off it was her birthday! What more could a girl ask for?

  Sage looked around and took everything in. The gallery was full of people, as well as the lobby. Her photos were displayed all over and everyone was in awe of her talent. She hugged herself, closed her eyes and lifted her face giving thanks to the Universe for this wonderful fortune. She felt familiar lips on hers before she opened her eyes to find Jordan smiling down at her.