Coming Together: At Last, Volume One

by Alessia Brio, L. A. Banks, Lisabet Sarai

  After the most amazing night of his life, he'd awaken with a ragin’ hard on, ready to begin again. He didn't know at what time during the night she had snuck away from him, but she had left, without waking him or leaving him a note of goodbye. To hell with the note, he wanted a number and address so he could see her again. He wanted to take her to Sunday brunch at the Painted Lady then drive back here and fuck her some more. Last night hadn't been long enough. Today wouldn't have been long enough either, but it would've been a start to something more permanent.

  Something that didn't make their unforgettable night a fucking one night stand. But, her clandestine exodus had proven that was all she wanted. Well, she was in for a rude awakening; he was nothing if not relentless in his pursuit of what he wanted. He wanted Moni.

  He'd let her escape for today, but on Monday he'd make it a point to find out as much about his elusive beauty. Get ready, Moni, this is one guy you're not getting away from.

  * * * *

  Moniqua sank deeper into the hot recess of her Norfolk Rotunda loft's customized bathtub. Bath salts made the warm water caress her skin like satin, which was exactly what she needed. Every muscle and opening of her body from the neck down was sore. Scratch that, her lips were swollen and tender as well. This had been the first morning in years that she had missed her morning run, with the exception of her week in the hospital when she'd been hit by a Mack truck as she sped up the road after her argument with her sister last year. Well, she could blame her sister for being pissed when Nica had walked into her office at Up and Coming Magazine and found her new husband kissing her twin. Yup, Nica had a reason to be pissed.

  And Moni's muscle had a good reason to renege on the morning exercise as well. Dee had given her a through loving. It had taken all of her strength to remove herself from his warm secure embrace. His arms offering tomorrow, passionate sunrises and loving evenings.

  Yup, she'd done the right thing by leaving him. She had deiced to move to Norfolk, Virginia at the urging of her sister to finally put dreams into reality. Moni loved photography. Since she had been a teenager and started taking pictures for the school newspaper, she'd loved having that magnesium alloy weight in her hand. Holding the camera to her face, the shutter had become an extension of herself. But, she'd also discovered that being in one place for too long wasn't in her nature as well. No, that homesteading business was for the birds and her sister LaMonica.

  However, after her accident she'd done a little soul searching. It was amazing how a life or death moment could shake a person's soul. Her soul had been shook. Five months later she had sold her La Jolla condo, visited with her parents in San Diego for two weeks and then moved to East Coast. She chose this city for no other reason but to be near her sister.

  As a wayward teen, who was destined for trouble with a big T. The photography teacher, Mr. Jose Del Marco, who had saw her in detention one too many times and put a camera in her hand making her take the school pictures had been her guardian angel. Unlike LaMonica, she had made it through school with a bare minimum of effort, doing just enough in most of her classes to maintain a C average and keep her parents off her back, except photography. She honed and mastered her skills, and when she got the job in her senior year as photographer for Coast Magazine she'd been happy for almost three years. Then boredom set in and she wanted to see something more through her lens besides local scenery, so she became a freelance photographer the first opportunity that came her way.

  Now, as she approached thirty with rapidness, she knew it was time for her to give back. Pixel Promises was going to allow her to reach out to urban teens and place life in their hands as Mr. Del Marco had done to her. The rate of teen pregnancies and drop out statistics in the area was astonishing and she wanted to do her part. It was the reason she'd selected to rent a loft at The Rotunda in the MacArthur Mall area. It was across the street from Plaza shopping center where she had rented a small store to build her photography studio, Pixel Promises. From her years of traveling, she'd saved enough money to have her living in comfort for the rest of her life. She could even afford to pay the monthly rent on the office space, but she'd been knocking on business doors since she got here for a sponsor.

  Detrick and Paul's law firm had purchased the furnishing, but she wouldn't allow them to do more. She was a firm believer that other companies in this area should contribute to an outreach program that would help the under privileged teens. But, she'd gotten a lot of doors closed in her face. People preferred to put money in building the city into a place to be reckon with, with it's luxury condos, penthouses, expensive malls that the people surrounding it couldn't do more than pay for a movie ticket and hour parking. She'd almost lost her lease for her office space when they discovered her intention to offer free services for teens and not create an exclusive photo center.

  Sighing, she looked down at her now pruned skin. She let the water out of the tub and turned on the shower. Using her puff she bathed with her orange blossom milk body scrub, getting a full body wax every three weeks shaved off thirty minutes of her bath time. Washing her hair next, she got out. Wrapping her body in a thick terry cloth towel, she briskly rubbed the excess water from her hair, then added her mouse, vanilla oil conditioner to her hair then left the bathroom.

  She'd eat breakfast, then head over to her office and open up before her six teens that she worked with on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday after school arrived. She only had three teens on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She taught them theory, history of photography, style and set up, candid and still life. On Saturday, she opened for free family/child portrait day. Any of her students were allowed to practice their skills and give back to the community.

  Pulling navy slacks and a champagne colored, sleeveless waist tie linen top out of her closet she smoothed lotion on her skin and allowed herself a small smile as she swiped passed each tender spot, fond memories of Dee. She was happy that it was just one night. Otherwise more of him could possibly turn her into a love seeking sap like her twin.

  * * * *

  "Hello, Ms. Walker.” Pamela, Nica's secretary grinned.

  "Hi, Pam. Is my sister available?” Returning her smile, Moni waited.

  "Yes, she is. Mr. Cline just went in to visit with her, but Ms. Rauglins told me to send you in once you arrived."

  "Thanks, Pam.” Moni stepped away from the desk and into Nica's office. Seeing Malcolm her sister's best friend and co-worker relaxed in the chair across the desk she said, “Well, there's nothing like the sight of a good looking man that sparks my appetite."

  Malcolm turned and winked at her as he rose. “What's a guy have to do to get both of you ladies for a nooner?"

  LaMonica groaned and shook her head at Malcolm's antics.

  Moving toward him Moni gave him a hug. She and Malcolm joked with each other frequently, but amazingly as gorgeous as he was she'd never had feelings toward him sexually. Especially not like the instantaneous ignition to her passion that happened when she laid eyes on Dee. Exhaling, she pushed that thought out of her mind. It was over and she wasn't going to dwell on him.

  "I'm free. However, first you'd have to take down the body guard of LaMonica's heart—Detrick. Than you can have your way with us."

  "Take out Detrick? Hell, I'm doomed to never have my fantasy fulfilled then.” He sighed dramatically and allowed his shoulders to lower.

  "Detrick's not your problem, Pam is.” Nica chimed in.

  Moni glanced from left to right, taking in Nica's secretive smile and Malcolm's broad grin. “Pam, as in Pamela your secretary?"

  "The one and only.” Nica commented. “Apparently it started while I was on my honeymoon."

  "We had dinner one night and hit it off.” Malcolm shrugged as if it were no big deal, but his smile that was growing wider by the second said it was a very big deal. “I asked, she accepted."

  Moni gave him another hug. “Congratulations."

  "Thanks."

  "Hungry.” Nica's stood up from her desk and
waved her purse over her head.

  She and Malcolm laughed at Nica's antics. Nica's obsession with food was becoming more unrelenting by the day. “Well, let me get Seymour's plant out of here, before Audery Two begins to kill for her food."

  "Definitely. Pam and I have plans for lunch as well."

  She bet they did.

  "Feed me, Seymour.” Nica mimicked the plant from the 80's movie Little Shop of Horrors as she grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the office.

  Moni admitted to herself that she was just as hungry. Her stomach had been queasy that morning as if she'd eaten a pound of bad shell fish. She hadn't been able to keep anything down in days.

  As they passed by the desk, she waved at Pam. “Congrats on the engagement and enjoy your nooner with the hunk Malcolm."

  Popping up from her seat, Pam mumbled a thank you as she turned to look at the guilty Malcolm standing in the doorway. As she and Nica stepped into the elevator, Moni didn't miss Pam's blush, nor the passion in her eyes. Yup, that was what loved looked like. She recognized it from her parents, Nica and Detrick, now Malcolm and Pam.

  "So, are you going to tell me what you were up to last Saturday night and your hasty exit?” LaMonica asked twenty minutes later as the sat at Freemason Abbey.

  Nica settled herself more comfortably in the high polished wood bench of the booth and stared with a faux intensity at her menu. “I'm thinking about the Gouda Tenderloin Penne, what do you have a taste for?"

  "Half the menu and you're not getting out of this conversation."

  If I can help it, I will.

  The waitress stepped over to them and got their drink order, but Nica assured her they were ready to order now. Moni ordered the Crab Quiche and Nica got the tenderloin. When the waitressed moved away, Nica inquiry continued.

  "Do you want me to tell you what I think?” Nica leaned back with a determined stare.

  "Not particularly.” Moni straightened out the silverware on the table, trying to avoid her sister's penetrating look. The look that told her that the deep twin connection the two of them experienced at times had ratted her out. Tilting her upper body forward Moni whispered, “Fine. I went to Dee's house and fucked him. Fuck him real good. Blew his damn mind.” That wasn't completely true, her conscious corrected. Her mind was the one that had been blown. But, she was going to keep that to herself.

  "Moniqua Melvina Walker."

  Moni flopped back against the seat. “Ahh, hell, LaMonica. Don't go calling my whole name like a disappointed mother hen. I'm sure you already knew this."

  "I did.” The waitress returned and set twin glasses of sweet ice tea before them and left. “Partly because I could feel you were out doing something reckless, but Dee told Detrick."

  That got her. “What?” Moni's face tightened with confusion. Dee hadn't seemed to be the type who needed to brag to his boys about a girl he banged. She couldn't stop her heart from sinking a little at the thought. At least it explained how he'd gotten her work address and sent the blush tinted long stemmed roses to her a few days ago. The card had read: Unforgettable You. No name. But, she'd known they were from him. She'd smiled at the flowers repeatedly at work, then at home where they sat on her kitchen counter and felt her face become warm and her heart skip a beat. Not willing to evaluate her response, she chalked it up to the fact she'd always been a sucker for Nat King Cole. “Isn't he a little old to be looking for his friend's to pat him on the back for his sexual accomplishments?"

  Nica sipped her drink then placed it back on the coaster. “It wasn't like that, Moni. He wanted to know about you.” Nica reached over the tabled and stilled Moni's hand playing idly with her fork. “Dwayne is a great guy. And he really likes you."

  Moni fought the smile that was trying to pull up the corners of her mouth, but she couldn't stifle the warm tingles that danced along her skin at her sister's words.

  "He was great in the sack. But, I don't want to talk about it. I'm here for the teens not a boyfriend."

  When their food arrived, silence enveloped the table until the waitress departed.

  "Nica, you're business is getting an excellent start and as soon as you acquire a sponsor you will be able to branch out and assist more adolescents."

  "Well, have no fear. Next week I have a meeting with a company that is interested in helping out.” She beamed a proud smile at her sister.

  "Excellent.” Nica consumed two bites of food, before speaking again. “By the way I spoke with the editor in chief."

  "A new venture for you?” Moni dug into her pasta, lifting out a forkful.

  She shook her head. “Nope, for you."

  The fork halted before her mouth. “Me?"

  "Actually, Pixel Promises.” Nica's hands became animated. “I talked to her about what you're trying to do with the teens and pitched the idea that maybe we could add one or two pictures a month from the teens in your program.” Pausing, Nica ate two more bites.

  "And?” When Nica continued to eat, Moni reached over and snagged her plate away from her and held it back. Nica's shocked expression was almost laughable.

  Nica stretched her fork out and tried to spear a piece of quiche. Moni moved it further out of the way. “And?"

  "And next month she will run the first addition, trial run, of the photo's. The section will be called Minor Snaps and the first issue will have a small article of my interview with you about the purpose of P.P.” Folding her arms across her chest, Nica pouted. “There. Satisfied, now?"

  She placed the plate back in front of her sister. “Yes.” She wanted to stand up and scream and do repeated cartwheels around the tables in the restaurant but she contained herself. “That is the best news, Nica.” Moni laid her fork down on her plate. Her mind was running a mile a minute trying to decide which one of her students she should offer the slot to.

  Finishing her food, Nica pushed her plate away. “Now that business is out of the way, when are you going to give Dee a chance?"

  Gazing at her twin and her empty plate of food, she asked, “When are you going to tell Detrick you're pregnant?"

  Stunned, was the best word to describe her sister's expression. “I just realized it a couple of days ago. I have an appointment on Monday to confirm it. I've asked Detrick to go with me. I guess the twin thing gave it away."

  It was Moni's turn to reach across the table and grasp her sister's hand. “It's hard to miss when I puked twice this morning."

  Moni watched the chagrin expression shadowed her sister features until the next second when they both burst out laughing.

  "This pregnancy is going to be very interesting,” Nica sighed.

  "Hopefully more for you than me.” Moni groaned.

  * * * *

  "Hello, welcome to Shelton Shipping, Co. May I help you?” The cheery receptionist announce from behind her half moon shaped desk, in the company foyer.

  Moni moved to the desk clutching her portfolio, looking down at the seated perky blonde with her big blue eyes and smile, but an even bigger bosom revealed in the low décolletage of her blouse. Sandy was carved into the small wood name plate. “Hi. I'm Moniqua Walker and I have an appointment with Mr. Shelton."

  Sandy tilted her head to the side. “Do you know if it is with the Senior or Junior?"

  "No, I don't. When I got the call last week the person didn't say and I didn't know to ask."

  "One moment and I'll check.” Sandy opened up an appointment book and scanned the daily appointments and meetings. Shaking her head, she flipped open another one. “Ah, yes, here you are, Mr. Shelton Junior."

  "Great.” Moni smiled, and exhaled slowly.

  "I'll give him a call."

  Moni moved a few steps away, allowing the woman her privacy. This was her tenth meeting and Moni didn't know how many phone calls she had made in the last few months to different businesses in the Tidewater area trying to get someone to sponsor the kids. She'd begun with different black organizations, wanting black dollars to support the project since the majori
ty of the participants would be African-American. But, as one call led into another, and one door shut after another, she didn't care who agreed to help as long as someone did.

  "Ms. Walker.” Moni turned at hearing the other woman's voice. “Mr. Shelton is ready for you now. If you continue down the hall to your left, his office is the last one on the right."

  Telling Sandy thank you, Moni turned and followed the directions given. A few people lingered in the hall in small groups or, hovered in doorways speaking to co-workers inside, but the hallway became silent as she got to the end where only one office sat away from the others. She wondered if the Senior Shelton's office was down the other hall set up in a similar fashion.

  When she stopped at the closed door with letters etched into a brass plaque displaying D. Shelton, Jr. Vice President, she took a deep breath and rapped soundly against the wood.

  A deep voice called out for her to enter. Rolling her shoulders back, she opened the door and stepped forward with confidence and a wide smile for Mr. Shelton, Junior who was sitting behind his desk. She froze.

  Chapter Four

  Damn, she was just as sexy as I remembered. Dwayne Shelton sat behind his desk and was thankful he hadn't decided to stand while waiting for Moni. The hard-on that ragged in his slacks wanting to be released would've been embracing. She stood paralyzed at the door, with a satin long sleeve top in which the color reminded him of a vintage yellow as it pressed snug across her breast. The skirt she wore was longer than the little number she had on at the celebration party, but just as lethal. The camel hued material hugged her hips and thighs. He yearned to see her from the back. Did the fabric cup her ass, as well? Her beautiful wild array of curls was now pulled back in to a chignon at the back of her head. She was a striking image of professionalism and the only thing he wanted was to be unprofessional and fuck her on his desk. His dick stiffened further at his thoughts, he had to reach under the desk to adjust himself to a more comfortable position.