A Pleasing Temptation

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Wesley, call your daddy later this evening. Ask him about his new fishing pole.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “Mama loves you too, baby! Goodbye, Kamaya!”

  After he disconnected the call, Wesley leaned to kiss Kamaya’s lips, gently pressing his mouth against hers. “My mother likes you,” he said.

  “Your mother doesn’t know I’m lying here naked in your bed.”

  “Oh, she knew! She just didn’t say anything. Trust me. My mother doesn’t miss a thing!”

  “She sounds like my mother! Boy are we in for it!”

  “They’re both a blessing! I know I wouldn’t give that old woman away for anything in this world.”

  “You’re a mama’s boy!”

  “And damn proud of it!

  Kamaya leaned to kiss him again. “One day I hope I have a son who feels the same way about me. I know that’s how my brothers feel about our mother.”

  “So you do want children?”

  “Did you think I didn’t?”

  Wesley shook his head. “I really don’t know what to think. That’s why I asked.”

  She nodded. “I do. One day. I don’t know if I’m really ready yet, and I might be running out of time, but I do want a family. A husband, children, a dog! Other people dwell on it more than I do, though. I know it will happen when it’s supposed to happen. And it has to happen in that order or my mother will kill me!”

  He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. “I want three kids. Maybe even four. A house full of boys!”

  “I was thinking more like one.”

  “I’ll meet you in the middle. Two. One boy and one girl. And I think we should get to practicing right now!” he said. “That way you can be pregnant right after the honeymoon and make both our mothers very happy!”

  Kamaya wore amusement across her face like perfectly placed makeup. “As long as you get that I have to be married first!”

  “Hey, my mother is a card-carrying Baptist. I understand completely! Like I said, it would just be practice for the real thing.”

  Kamaya laughed as he lifted the covers to peer down at his rising erection. “That thing looks deadly!” she mused.

  He grinned. “It is. Baby, this right here will kill you with love!”

  * * *

  Kamaya had ignored the first five phone calls from her sister, sending them right to voice mail. When Wesley’s cell phone suddenly rang and Maitlyn’s number flashed across the screen, she had to answer. She shook her head as he passed her his device.

  “Why are you calling me on Wesley’s telephone?”

  “Because you didn’t answer yours and we needed to make sure you’re still alive!” Maitlyn responded.

  Her sisters all chimed in with their hellos.

  “You’re all on the line?”

  “Please, you had a date and you didn’t think we would call to find out how it went?” Maitlyn asked sarcastically.

  “Where are you?” Katrina questioned.

  Kamaya blew a soft sigh. “Wesley and I are spending the day on his sailboat.”

  “You’re still on his boat?” Maitlyn asked. “Maybe I should have packed you more clothes! Did you wear that nightie I tossed in?”

  Kamaya laughed. “I’m wearing it now,” she said glibly.

  “You had sex with the stripper?” Tarah chimed in. “You go, girl! I saw that video!”

  Kamaya shook her head. “Really, Maitlyn?”

  “What did I do?”

  “Can you keep anything to yourself?”

  The women laughed.

  “Like you don’t know the answer to that!” Tarah said teasingly. “Now you know what it feels like having everyone all up in your business!”

  “I expected better from you, Tarah.”

  “Nope! Payback is real!”

  “At least I didn’t tell your brothers,” Maitlyn said.

  Wesley was eyeing Kamaya curiously, amusement dancing over his face. He turned the page of the newspaper he was reading, pretending to be interested in one of the articles on the sports page.

  “Well, I’m good. Wesley’s good. We’re both fine. There’s no need for you to worry about me. I will call you all later.”

  “Not so fast,” Maitlyn chimed. “Senior has to have a colonoscopy on Tuesday. Can you take the old people and be there to sit with Mom?”

  “Can’t Kendrick do it?

  “Kendrick asked if you could do it. He and Vanessa are going out of town.”

  Kamaya blew a soft sigh. “I guess so. As long as you didn’t schedule it for some ridiculous hour in the morning.”

  “Senior scheduled his own appointment. He has to be at the hospital at seven-thirty.”

  “He does this to me on purpose. You do know that, right?”

  “Your father does it to all of us on purpose. You’re not special,” Katrina responded with a light chuckle.

  “When are you coming home?” Maitlyn asked. “You cannot spend another night with your new boyfriend. You already look like you’re fast!”

  “I do not!”

  “It is just a little trashy,” Katrina interjected.

  “It was first-date sex. That makes you look really trashy,” Tarah noted.

  “Tch,” Kamaya sucked her teeth. “Like y’all have never done it before. Don’t get me started.”

  “We’re not talking about us right now,” Maitlyn said, chuckling. “We’re talking about you.”

  “I have never done that!” Katrina exclaimed. “The one time I even thought about doing it, your mother did a drive-by! Talk about a buzz kill!”

  The sisters all laughed.

  “Mama says a man won’t marry fast and easy!” Tarah giggled. “But I feel you, girl! Get your groove on, big sister!”

  “He’s a stripper! Are you really thinking about marrying a stripper?” Katrina questioned.

  “He’s a former stripper!” Maitlyn clarified. “Get your facts straight or she’ll be mad at me for passing along misinformation.”

  “I’m mad at you anyway,” Kamaya noted. “But we’ll talk about that later. In fact, this is not a good time for any part of this conversation!”

  “So he is marriage material?” Katrina asked.

  “If he can get past the Boudreaux men,” Maitlyn said with a mischievous laugh. “Did you see the video?”

  “I’m done with all three of you!” Kamaya said, laughing. “Done and finished.”

  “Just come home at a decent hour, please,” Maitlyn said. “I’m in labor. I predict this boy will make an appearance some time later tonight and it would be nice if his godmother were there to greet him.”

  “I thought I was his godmother?” Tarah said, pouting slightly.

  “The next baby is yours,” Maitlyn replied. “I promise.”

  “Can I name it, too?”

  Katrina feigned a cough, clearing her throat. “Really, Tarah?”

  “I’d pick good names! Petunia if it’s a girl, to keep the flower thing going, and Zorba for a boy.”

  “No, you cannot name any child of mine!” Maitlyn exclaimed.

  “I was teasing!” Tarah shot back. “But seriously, I actually like Iris or Lily for a baby girl. Then, since you and your husband are rolling with the letter Z for your boys, Zander or maybe Zahir?”

  “I actually like Zahir!” Kamaya said matter-of-factly.

  “I like them both,” Katrina added. “And I love Lily for a girl. I might have to steal that one for myself.”

  “Are you pregnant again?” Kamaya asked.

  There was a collective pause as they all waited for their eldest sister to respond.

  “Hell, no! I was just having a moment!”

  The l
aughter was gut deep and rich with emotion.

  Katrina gasped as she caught her breath. “Maitlyn, I thought you said Zakar was going to be it? That you weren’t having any more babies after this one?”

  “I’m married to a man who’s determined to keep me barefoot and pregnant, and I kind of like it. There’s bound to be at least one more! Maybe even two.”

  Kamaya’s excitement pierced her eyes. “Although I am thoroughly enjoying this conversation, I really must go. I think I hear Wesley calling my name.” She tapped him with her foot, her eyebrows raised.

  Wesley grinned. He cupped his hand over his mouth as Kamaya held the phone up. His voice was a loud, husky whisper as he pretended to yell. “Kamaya! Kamaya!”

  She pulled the phone back to her ear. “See, I have to go. I promise I will be there and on time, Maitlyn! Just call me when you head to the hospital.”

  “One of us will definitely call you. We should all be landing before six,” Katrina said.

  “Is everyone flying in?” Kamaya questioned.

  “I’m not,” Tarah said. “I’m on call at the hospital, but Nicholas and I are coming in next weekend to meet our nephew. And Gianna is too far along in her pregnancy to make the trip so she and Donovan won’t be able to make it. I think everyone else is, though.”

  “And bring my son’s new Uncle Wesley with you. There’s no time like the present for him to meet the family,” Maitlyn said. “He’s already covering for you, so that definitely makes him a keeper,” she added as she mimicked him. “Kamaya! Kamaya!”

  “Goodbye, Maitlyn!” Kamaya snapped.

  Her sisters all laughed. “We love you, too!” the threesome chimed as Kamaya disconnected the call.

  Wesley shot her a look. “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Maitlyn’s in labor!”

  He shifted forward in the bed. “Do you need me to take you to her?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I would appreciate a ride to the hospital later this evening, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. She’s not there already?” His brow furrowed with confusion.

  “Her babies take forever to come. Rose-Lynn had her in labor for seventeen hours. Zayn came in twelve. She refuses to take any drugs for the pain, so she never heads to the hospital until she absolutely has to.”

  “Wow!”

  “Wow is right. I want drugs. I’m getting an epidural after the first cramp.”

  He laughed. “Duly noted. Marriage first. Drugs for baby.”

  She grinned “You catch on fast.”

  “I can actually walk and chew gum at the same time. I’m like a one-man carnival act!”

  Kamaya laughed.

  “So, I see that you and your sisters are really close. I only heard one side of the conversation and it sounded very entertaining.”

  “My sisters are my best friends. We share everything. Well, almost everything. But I’m sure I’m not the only one that has left out a detail or two about something.”

  “I’m thinking ownership of a multi-million-dollar adult entertainment operation is more than a detail.”

  “It depends on your perspective,” Kamaya said, as she rolled her eyes.

  Wesley leaned back against the pillows, returning to his newspaper.

  “Do you think I’m fast?” she asked, suddenly curious.

  Wesley peered at her over his paper. He laughed. “Fast and hot tailed, is what my mother would say.”

  “So what does that make you? Because I didn’t sleep with myself.” There was the faintest hint of attitude in her tone.

  He reached for her, pulling her onto his lap. He wrapped her in a deep bear hug. “That, beautify lady, makes me crazy about you.”

  “Good answer,” Kamaya said as she kissed him. “I refuse to be labeled a slut just because I enjoy getting mine, when you would get a pat on the back and a notch on your boy’s card for doing the same thing.”

  “Are you feeling some kind of way about making love with me?” Wesley brushed a loose curl out of her face.

  She pondered his question for a quick minute. “Yeah,” she said finally. “I’m feeling like the luckiest damn woman in the whole wide world!”

  Chapter 10

  The waiting room of the family birthing center at Touro Infirmary looked like a Boudreaux family reunion. Kamaya’s parents, her siblings and their spouses were all waiting anxiously for news about Maitlyn and her baby.

  Kamaya’s twin was the first to key in on her and the man she was holding hands with when she entered the room. Kendrick eyed them both as she guided Wesley to where her parents sat, introducing them to each other. Kamaya felt his gaze narrowing as he took in Wesley’s imposing stance.

  “Who’s that with my Yaya?” he asked, moving to where Katrina was sitting with his wife, Vanessa, and his sisters-in-law, Phaedra and Dahlia.

  “That’s Kamaya’s new boo,” Katrina whispered back. “I think Maitlyn’s the only one who’s met him, but his name is Wesley.”

  “My, my, my!” Vanessa muttered. “Ain’t he all GQ!” she exclaimed, exchanging a look with the other woman.

  Phaedra laughed. “Yes, yes, yes!” she said under her breath.

  Dahlia echoed the sentiment. “I’d like to interview him for one of my movies. He is too sweet!”

  Kendrick tossed the women a look and they all burst out laughing a second time. He shook his head.

  “What’s so funny?” Kamaya questioned, moving to where they all sat, having overheard every part of their secret conversation.

  “Your brother,” Vanessa teased. She waved at Wesley. “Hi!”

  Kendrick gave Wesley the once-over, his eyes skipping from his head to his feet and back. “Kendrick Boudreaux, Kamaya’s twin, and you are?”

  Wesley smiled. “Wesley Walters, Kamaya’s boyfriend. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Boyfriend?” Kendrick cut an eye at Wesley, and then his sister and back.

  Kamaya’s eyes skipped toward the ceiling, her brow furrowing in annoyance. “Don’t start, Kendrick.”

  “What? I didn’t say anything, but since you brought it up, I’ve never known you to date boys.” Kendrick’s gaze was locked on Wesley’s face.

  Kamaya slammed her fist into her brother’s arm. “That was so not cool, Kendrick!”

  Wesley chuckled. “It’s all good. He’s just being protective.”

  “He’s being an ass!” Kamaya griped.

  Kendrick shrugged, still rubbing at the rising bruise where she had just punched him.

  “Wesley, this is Kendrick’s wife, Vanessa, and my sister-in-law, Dahlia. Dahlia is married to my brother Guy. And this is Phaedra. She’s Mason’s wife.”

  Wesley shook hands with all the women. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’m a big fan of your work, Ms. Morrow. I think your movie Passionate was one of my all-time favorites.”

  Dahlia smiled. “Thank you.”

  Zakaria Sayed suddenly rushed into the room. Moving behind Kamaya, his hands dropped against her shoulders. “Just the woman I was looking for!”

  “Hey Zak! Where’s Maitlyn?”

  “They just got her settled in the delivery room.”

  “Zakaria, this is Wesley. Wesley, this is Maitlyn’s husband, Zakaria Sayed.”

  The two men exchanged a head nod.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Wesley,” Zak said. “My wife spoke very highly of you.”

  “Maitlyn is very kind. I enjoyed talking with her.”

  Zak tapped Kamaya’s shoulders. “Maitlyn sent me to get you. She said you have to be there. It’s optional for the rest of you girls.”

  Katherine Boudreaux interjected from her seat across the room. “All us girls are going in. Dr. Bailey knows he can’t keep u
s from seeing that baby come into the world.” The woman stood up, joining the small group where they stood. “You boys make yourselves comfortable. It might be a minute.”

  The matriarch turned her attention to her son. “Kendrick, introduce Kamaya’s man friend to the rest of the family. And act like you’ve had some home training, please. You should be excited that your sister has finally brought someone around for us to meet.”

  Kendrick shot his twin a look, her grin pulling wide and full across her face. He shook his head as he wrapped his arm around Kamaya’s shoulder and leaned to kiss her forehead. He extended his arm in Wesley’s direction. There was a moment of hesitation and then the two shook hands.

  Katherine looped her arm through Zakaria’s. “Let’s go welcome my new grandbaby!” she said.

  The two led the way, Kamaya and the other female members of the family following them eagerly.

  Kendrick turned toward Wesley. He opened his mouth to speak, but Senior suddenly moved between them.

  “So, Wesley, what is it you do?” the older man asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

  Wesley took a deep breath. “I have a number of real estate investments, sir, and most recently I purchased a nightclub that I’m managing.”

  “The bar business never grows old,” Senior responded. “Folks are always looking for a good time. Did you meet my son Mason?”

  Mason stepped up to shake Wesley’s hand. “You actually look familiar to me. Have we met before?”

  Wesley nodded. “Very briefly. You spoke at a business conference hosted by the 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans a few years ago.”

  Mason paused, a moment of reflection passing as he thought back. “You came up to me and asked about franchises.”

  “I did,” Wesley said, impressed that he remembered. “I wanted to know your opinion of them relative to their investment potential.”

  “Did you pursue them further?”

  “I did. I actually acquired my first one a few months ago.”

  “Well, it’s nice to see you again. Kamaya threw you right into the fire without a life vest, didn’t she?” He chuckled warmly.

  Wesley laughed. “I hope she trusts that I can handle myself.”

  “I’d hate to see you if you can’t,” another of Kamaya’s brothers interjected, moving to join the conversation. “Kamaya will cut a brother loose in a heartbeat if he doesn’t measure up.” He greeted Wesley warmly. “I’m Darryl Boudreaux. Welcome to the madhouse!”