by D. Camille
She pulled back and touched his face. “I need you to be safe Jordan. I need you not to take any unnecessary chances, please. We can't lose you.”
“Everything is under control Sage. I've been through much worse than this, believe me.”
She looked up at him. “And Trent is safe?” she asked.
“Yes, baby Trent is fine. We have him well guarded. All of you.”
Sage laid her head on his chest and looked over at Diamond in her chair.
“I didn't have my daddy growing up Jordan. I don't want that to happen to Diamond.”
Jordan closed the refrigerator and took her hand leading her over to the table. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
“Their anniversary was hard on you,” Jordan surmised.
She nodded.
“What do you remember of them? You were so young.”
She smiled sadly. “I remember my momma had eyes like ours. I remember her singing to me and braiding my hair.” She glanced at Diamond. “I remember my daddy had big muscles, like the Sun God has. He would pick me up and swing me in the air; I would laugh so hard and he would kiss my face. I still miss them.” She laid her head on his shoulder.
“They made the most beautiful woman in the world and I am so grateful. I love her; I live for her and the beautiful daughter she has given me...”
She smiled up at him.
“And the son she's going to give me,” he finished.
Sage's eyes lit up. “Really Jordan?”
He nodded slowly and she threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much.”
She grabbed his face with both hands kissing him. “Mmmmmm...”
Sage broke way when she heard Diamond saying, “Mmmmmm...”
She looked at Jordan.
He smiled. “I told you.”
*********
Trent climbed out of his car at the basketball court where he'd parked. This morning he was meeting Callie after she had challenged him to a game last night at the festival. He spotted her on the court dressed in a tank top, basketball shorts and a pair of Air Jordan's. He smiled as he approached.
“Hey Callie.”
“Good morning Trent. Ready for your spanking?”
“Callie you can spank me, but it won't be in basketball.” He winked at her.
Callie smiled. “Oooh, trash talking. I like it!”
“You look cute,” Trent told her.
She looked him over in his T-shirt, basketball shorts and expensive sneakers.
“You're cute too, but you're still going to lose.”
Trent gave her a look. “Callie, you don't really think you can beat me, do you?”
“Ball out Trent,” she turned toward the court and picked up the ball. She began dribbling like a pro as he watched.
“Uh, okay,” he said taking his place on the court.
She began explaining, “First one to ten. You only get to shoot jump shots outside the three point line.”
“What?” he questioned.
Callie shrugged. “That makes us even since you obviously have an advantage.”
“It's not my fault you're short.”
Callie continued, “Respect all my fouls.”
Trent frowned. “I'm not going to foul you.”
“Let's do it!” She threw the ball to him and he caught it.
He smiled at her. “What do I get when I win?”
“You're not.”
He held the ball and lifted a brow.
“What?” she asked.
“When I win you will say that I am the best,” he told her.
Callie shrugged. “Whatever.”
“And you'll wash and clean my car.”
She frowned. “I'm not your damn maid.”
Trent shrugged. “Since you're so good it shouldn't matter.”
“Okay. When I win, you're going to rub my feet, 'cause they'll be hurting after I finish stomping all over you.”
He smiled. “Oooh, trash talking. I like it!” He threw the ball back to her.
Callie whizzed past him and made an uncontested layup.
“Two.” She walked to the line.
“Three and out,” he told her and she frowned.
“Scary cat you just don't want me to beat you from the line.”
Trent looked at her. “You make three from the line and then you take the ball out.”
“Fine.” Callie made the first shot and missed the second. Trent grabbed the rebound and dribbled to the three point line. Callie was in front of him in a flash with her hands in the air jumping up and down, but Trent shot over her easily draining the basketball.
“Two-Three. I like my car real clean. No slacking,” he told her retrieving the ball and heading to the line. Trent made two from the line and managed to grab the rebound off his miss. Callie was all over him checking him as he dribbled the ball out.
He smiled down at her. “I might dribble all day to let you keep you rubbing up against me.”
Callie smiled back at him then stole the ball and made another quick layup. “Five-Four. I think I'll have you use some oil and make sure you get between my toes. No slacking.” She walked to the line.
Callie missed the first shot from the line and Trent quickly scooped it up and dribbled out shooting before she could get to him. “Six-Five. I can't wait to look at your ass when you're bent over washing my car.” He walked to the line.
Callie turned and lifted her butt in the air. “This is about as close as you'll get to seeing it.”
Trent laughed and made his first shot. “Seven-Five. Can you make sure your tank top gets wet too?” he asked.
Callie's eyes narrowed. “Shoot the damn ball.”
He made the next shot from the line. “Eight-Five Callie.” Callie threw the ball to him and Trent missed his next shot. Callie grabbed the short rebound and made a jump shot.
“Seven-Eight. I think I'll make you paint my toenails.” She took the ball to the line. Making the first shot she said, “Eight-Eight.”
She turned to him. “You want to suck my toes too?”
“I'll suck something,” he told her and she laughed.
Callie made her next shot. “Nine-Eight. One more point and these little babies get the royal treatment.” She held up her foot.
“Don't choke Callie.”
She gave him a naughty look. “I never choke.”
Trent licked his lips watching her as she watched him.
Callie turned her attention back to the game. She shot the ball for the winning shot and missed. Trent grabbed the rebound and began to dribble. “Last basket Callie. You'd better come check me. Hard.” He smiled.
Callie ran over with her arms in the air. Trent looked down at her. “If you show me your ass again I might miss on purpose.”
Callie swiped for the ball. “Uh-uh. Not this time sexy,” he told her moving the ball away.
Trent went to attempt the shot when Callie pushed him off balance.
“Foul!” he screamed.
Callie shrugged. “Shoot for it.”
“Respect my call Callie.”
“You never said that in the beginning. Shoot for it!” she demanded.
Trent nodded. “Okay little cheater. I'll shoot for it.” Trent missed the shot.
“My ball,” Callie said grabbing the ball.
Callie took the ball out and raced to the basket. She threw up a shot and Trent blocked it swatting the ball across the court.
Callie watched the ball fly then looked at him. “Oh, looks like we're ready to hoop now? It just got real, huh?”
“Let's go.” Trent got into a basketball stance.
Callie took the ball out and began to dribble as Trent checked her closely. She shot the ball and missed.
Foul!” she called.
Trent looked astounded. “Callie, for real? I didn't even touch you!”
“Respect my call Trent. I said it in the beginning.”
Trent laughed. “You should have said in the beginning that yo
u're a damn cheater.”
Callie smiled and retrieved the ball and began dribbling with Trent guarding her. She tried to shoot and Trent blocked her shot again.
“I'll do this all day,” he told her.
She shrugged and grabbed the ball. This time when she tried to shoot Trent blocked her shot and captured the ball. Slowly he dribbled to a spot.
“Lights out Callie.” He shot a perfect shot over her outstretched hands that went straight through the nets.
Callie turned and watched the shot go through. “Good game,” she said hotly with her back to him.
“You mad?” he asked surprised.
“Nah, I'm cool,” she snapped turning to him.
Trent laughed. “Oooh, you mad!” Trent put his fist to his mouth.
Callie walked to get the ball. “Whatever.” When she returned she stood in front of him.
Blowing out a breath, she said sarcastically, “You're the best Trent.”
“Aw hell nah...you got to come better than that.”
Callie shifted to one foot. “You're the best Trent.” This time there was a hard edge to it.
Trent smiled. “You're a cheater and a sore loser.”
“I said it.” She began walking away.
Trent caught up with her and grabbed her around the waist from behind.
“The next time we play together, it won't be basketball,” he whispered in her ear.
Callie leaned back. “What are we going to play then?” she asked smiling.
“Something that will make you honestly say that I'm the best.” He placed a kiss on her neck before releasing her.
Callie turned to him biting her lip. “You don't really want me to wash your car do you baby?”
Trent smiled. “Oh yeah, you're going to clean the hell out of my car.”
*********
Isis looked up as her sister arrived at the restaurant for their breakfast together. Isabelle took the seat across from her and smiled.
“Hi Isis.”
Isis looked at her sister. “Hi Isabelle, you look...great,” she said studying her sister.
Isabelle smiled again. “Thank you.”
Isis continued to look at her. “If I didn't know better Isabelle, I'd think that someone was getting you straight. You're glowing.”
Isabelle blushed. “What are you talking about Isis?” she hedged.
Isis shook her head. “Oh no sister girl, what's going on?”
“Isis really.”
Isis folded her arms. “Who is he?”
Isabelle picked up her menu and began reading. “I'm here for breakfast Isis, not to be grilled,” she told her sister sternly.
Isis' eyes lit up. “Oh my God, it's Ray isn't it!”
“What?” Isabelle looked up.
“It is. I know it! Only a man like him can make you look like that.”
Isabelle sat her menu down. “Look like what Isis?”
“Like you've had something so good you can't wait to have it again,” she explained.
Isabelle shook her head. “I have not been intimate with Ray Parker.”
Isis smiled. “Oh girlfriend, but you want to be. I can't believe it!”
“Isis please, do not make this into something.”
“Just admit it Isabelle.”
Isabelle looked away. “I have nothing to admit.”
“I guess you're right,” Isis told her looking in another direction.
Isabelle looked at her. “Why?”
“Because he just walked in...with a woman.”
The strength of a mighty man could not have stopped Isabelle from turning her head to see where her sister was looking. She saw Ray with a tall beautiful woman dressed to accentuate every curve she had, and there were many. The woman smiled up at Ray as he led her to their table with a hand on her back.
“Isabelle?” Isis called. “Are you okay?”
Isabelle heard the concern in her sister's voice. “Of course Isis, why wouldn't I be okay?” she asked calmly.
Isis looked at her sister. “What's going on Isabelle?” she questioned.
“Okay Isis, I'll admit Ray has been helping me out with some things, but we are in no way involved.”
Isis frowned. “What is he helping you out with?”
“Something personal,” Isabelle said in her voice that let Isis know she would not be discussing it any further.
“I don't want you to get hurt Isabelle,” her sister said taking her hand.
Isabelle smiled and removed her hand. “I'm a big girl Isis. I know what I want now and I know how to get it,” she turned again and glanced at where Ray was seated at the table.
Isis saw the look of determination on her sister's face and also turned to look at Ray and his companion.
“Let's have breakfast,” Isabelle said smiling picking up her menu.
Isis looked back at her sister. “Okay...” What the hell?
Both ladies were perusing their menus when a deep baritone interrupted their scanning.
“Hello ladies.”
Both Isis and Isabelle lowered their menus and turned to the voice. Ray was standing next to their table dressed in beige slacks, an off-white shirt and multicolored tie.
Isabelle smiled at him as brown eyes held hers. “Hello Ray.”
Ray's gaze slid from hers down her body seated in the chair then back to her face and Isabelle felt the warmth of it all over. She also took in her fill of him focusing primarily on his chest then back to those eyes.
He smiled at her. “I saw you having breakfast and I wanted to stop and say hello,” he told her.
Isis sat silently watching the play between the two.
“That was very kind of you,” Isabelle said gracefully. “But then I already know that you are a very kind man.” She gave him a look.
Oh damn, Isis thought. Isabelle was flirting!
“It's very easy to be kind to such a beautiful Goddess,” he responded.
Ahh...sookie sookie now! Isis continued to watch.
Isabelle glanced over at the table where his companion sat waiting and then back to him. “I hope you enjoy your morning,” she said politely.
Ray also glanced back at where the woman was waiting then back to Isabelle. “I much prefer my evenings.”
Isabelle blushed and Isis raised an eyebrow. Were they spending evenings together? Oh, this was getting better by the minute.
“Yes, I agree,” Isabelle whispered.
Ray laughed. “I will see you soon Isabelle.”
Isabelle nodded slowly before Ray turned to Isis.
“Hello Isis, nice to see you.”
“You too Ray.”
He nodded and made his way back to his table with Isabelle watching. She finally looked away and picked up her menu again smiling.
“What would you like for breakfast Isis?” she asked.
“The truth.”
She lowered her menu. “About what?”
“Isabelle, a blind man could see that the two of you are definitely involved.”
Isabelle let out a breath. “Ray Parker is a very handsome, very desirable and very kind man. As I've told you, he's helping me with something personal. End of story.”
Isis gave her sister a look. “Yeah, he personally wants to have you spinning on his pole.”
Isabelle smiled and picked up her menu saying to herself, “He already has.”
Chapter 18
A couple of days later Jordan was working in his office when he stopped and thought about the past weekend with Sage. Taking her to the hotel had made her happy and she'd shown him repeatedly over the past few days just how happy she was. He was now able to safely eat his meals at home in addition to other perks that went along with her happiness. His body tightened remembering those perks. He smiled to himself as his office phone buzzed.
“Yes Kelly?”
“There's a Mr. Harrison down at security to see you.”
Jordan frowned. “Harrison?”
“Yes. Carl Harrison
.”
Jordan looked at the phone. He knew damn well Carl Harrison hadn't come to his office to see him.
“Tell them I'll be right down.”
“Yes Mr. Black.”
Jordan stood from his desk and started for the door. Why in the hell was Carl Harrison here? The man who had been responsible for his parents’ divorce and his mother's departure had the audacity to step foot into this building? By the time he made it downstairs Jordan was ready to punch somebody. He entered the security office and faced the man whom he had nothing but animosity towards. Carl stood as Jordan entered.
“Two minutes,” Jordan told him.
Carl looked at the security in the room.
“You probably want them to stay for your safety,” he informed Carl and security lowered their heads.
Carl nodded. “I wanted to talk to you about Milton Martin.”
Jordan's eyes narrowed. “What about him?”
“He's out to get you.”
“What's new?”
Carl sighed. “Wow, you don't just look like your father.”
Jordan stepped to him. “Let me tell you something. I'm sick and damn tired of people comparing me to my father. My name is Jordan Black and none of you want to fuck with me! Now why the hell are you here?”
Carl stepped back. “Look Jordan, you don't know everything. You don't know what happened!”
Jordan looked at his watch. “You have one minute to enlighten me.”
“Joanna never wanted to leave you. Justin made her.”
*********
Sean looked at the update on his phone and saw that Jordan was downstairs with a visitor.
When he saw the name, he jumped from his chair. Quickly he made his way downstairs to the security office where he found Jordan staring at Carl Harrison as if he was ready to kill him.
“Jordan?” Sean called.
“What the hell did you just say to me?” Jordan asked Carl harshly.
Sean looked between the two men and wondered what was going on.
“I said that Joanna never wanted to leave you. Justin wouldn't let her have any contact with you and it broke her heart.”
Before anyone knew what had happened, Jordan had grabbed Carl by the collar and pressed him against the wall.
“You think you're going to come in here and lie to my damn face!” he shouted.
Sean grabbed him first. “Jordan!” The security in the room stood at attention waiting for instructions.