Art of Deception (The Black Diamond Series Book 4)

by D. Camille

  The next thing Isabelle knew Ray had whipped her shirt over her head. He smiled wickedly down at her when his gaze locked on the condoms she’d placed in her bra, one peeking out of each cup. He reached up and slowly pulled one out stroking the top of her breast with it before quickly applying it. Grabbing her legs, he lifted her around his waist and ran his hands up her skirt to her bare ass. When he realized that she had no panties on, he groaned into her neck.

  Isabelle grabbed his face while spreading her legs and opening to his extended rod. “Do me…right now,” she whispered and eased him inside of her. She took his mouth tasting lips and tangling tongues. Only a man of Ray’s size, strength and stamina could hold her up in the middle of the floor and stroke her so effortlessly. Isabelle threw her head back and tightened her legs around him as Ray lifted her higher, giving her more of what she’d asked.

  “Isabelle…” Her name on his lips made her even hotter and she opened herself even more to his demanding pace.

  “Ray…oh my…” She looked into sexy bright brown eyes that were watching her. “I want all of you.”

  Ray took her mouth and there were no more words until she broke away shouting his name at her release. He turned and pressed her back against the wall with her hands in the air. She panted and moaned at each stroke and thrust. Ray moved her to the hall table, quickly clearing it of its contents. Sitting her atop of it he resumed the rhythm to invoke her music. When his completion finally came, she joined him again before he softly kissed her back to reality.

  “Do you realize that we’re in your hall?” he asked watching her.

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  “And we still have clothes on.”

  “I know.” She moved against him. “But I want to take them off now.”

  He smiled at her. “Do you need a break?” he asked.

  “No. Do you need one?”

  Ray laughed. “No Goddess, I never need a break. I was asking for you.”

  He gently eased himself from her and lowered her feet to the floor. Ray pulled his pants up and kissed her. “I need to use your bathroom.”

  Isabelle nodded then watched as he disappeared down her hall. She made a note to herself to put two stars next to item number four when she retrieved her list. That one was awesome! She quickly cleaned up the items that had been tossed aside from the table as Ray entered the bathroom.

  In the bathroom, Ray laid his forehead against the door. What the hell, who was that woman? How had this shit gotten all twisted? He moved to the sink went about the task of refreshing himself. When he was done, he fixed his clothing and let the seat down on the toilet before sitting.

  Think Ray…he told himself, with your damn brain. She’s trying to put it on you. No…she is putting it on you. You have to flip this script. Remember you are the Sun God! You have a damn Temple! Strategy, everything is strategy. Now go out there and tear that ass up! Have her making you dinner and breakfast. Handle it.

  Ray smiled and nodded his head. It’s handled, he told himself. Standing he exited the bathroom and walked down the hall. When he reached the living room Isabelle was nowhere to be found. He called her name and she answered from upstairs indicating she was in her bedroom. Ray climbed the stairs and proceeded to her room. He opened the door and stopped.

  Aw hell! He looked around the room then at the beautifully naked woman lying on her stomach in the center of the bed with her feet in the air and ankles crossed. Isabelle had transformed her room into a mini Temple complete with all his favorites.

  She gave him a naughty smile. “I was hoping you could show me how to use these…”

  Item number three…Make it Fun…use every type of toy and gadget available to get...him...off…

  *********

  Sean looked across the table at Lily where they were seated in their dining room having dinner. He noticed that she hadn't touched her food.

  “It's fine Lily. I don't want you to be upset,” he told her gently.

  Lily lifted dark eyes to his. “How can I not be upset when someone wants to kill my love?” she asked quietly.

  Sean stood and came around the table. He took her hand bringing her to her feet and taking her into his arms.

  “I'm sorry you had to see that,” he said rubbing her back.

  Lily held him tightly. “I'm afraid.”

  “I know beautiful.”

  Sean picked her up into his arms and carried her into their living room. He sat with her in his lap on the sofa.

  “This will be over soon. I promise you,” he told her touching her face.

  “Why do they want to kill you?” she asked.

  Sean took a deep breath. “A long time ago, Jordan, Ray and I made a big mistake.”

  Lily lifted a brow in confusion.

  “We left someone alive that we shouldn't have. We won't make that mistake again,” he told her.

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “We're supposed to be making little lilies.”

  “We are and I will be here to watch them grow.”

  He held her closer. "Have I ever lied to you?" he asked.

  Lily looked into his eyes. "No."

  "And I'm not about to start."

  She smiled. "You lied to our mothers," she told him laughing.

  Sean smiled. "No, I redirected them."

  "No, you sent them on a wild goose chase," she corrected.

  "Semantics."

  She laughed more. "Are all those items on that list even real?" she asked.

  "I gave them a preparation list. Things they need for their mission. Once they've located all of them they can begin the actual work," he explained.

  "I don't even know how you did that with a straight face. They really believe they're preparing to protect us."

  "They are."

  Lily looked confused. "What?"

  "It's all a part of the plan Lily."

  "Sean, you had dried apricots on the list. How are dried apricots going to protect us?"

  Sean smiled. "Dried apricots are Diamond's favorite."

  Lily shook her head. "Your mind always amazes me because I know there is a method to this madness."

  "I have it under control," he reminded her.

  She touched his face. "My husband is very important to me. In fact, my warrior is everything to me."

  "I know and I would not leave my goddess," he promised.

  She wiggled on his lap. "I believe you." Lily placed her lips on his.

  Sean pulled her closer. "What color is your underwear today?" he asked against her lips.

  "Hmmm...you should undress me and see."

  He stood with her in his arms. "Let's get wet."

  Lily showed her dimples. "In the pool?"

  Sean stared down at her as he took off walking. "Yes, there too."

  *********

  Trent left his study group heading to his car. He was anxious to see Callie and get the answers to some of the questions he had. He heard someone call his name and turned. Isis walked up to him quickly.

  He lifted a brow. "Hey Isis. What's up?"

  "I wanted to talk to you about Callie," she told him.

  Trent frowned. "What about Callie?"

  Isis took a breath. "I saw her arguing with Agent Graham tonight. Here on campus."

  "Arguing?"

  Isis nodded. "Yes, it looked like they were having a fight."

  Trent reared back. "A fight?"

  "And they were speaking in Spanish," she added.

  "What did they say?" he asked.

  Isis looked at him. "I don't know Spanish Trent, plus they were talking so fast. They both seem very fluent."

  Trent shrugged. "So what are you saying Isis? You think Callie is involved with Marc?"

  "I don't know Trent! Why would they be arguing?" she questioned.

  "Fine. I'll ask her," he told her beginning to walk away.

  Isis put a hand on his arm. "I did ask her. She said they were discussing a case."

  Trent looked down at her. "I g
uess you don't believe her."

  "I don't want you to get hurt Trent," she said softly.

  He took the hand that was on his arm and held it. "Thank you Isis. I appreciate you being concerned."

  Isis stared up at him. "I mean you fell for her pretty fast."

  Trent smiled. "I actually fell for you faster, but I fell for her completely."

  "Are you in love with her?" Isis asked him staring into his dark gaze.

  "More than I ever imagined I could be."

  Isis reached up to touch his face. "Be careful."

  "I will. Bye Tamale."

  She smiled at him. "Bye Trent."

  He nodded and released her hand before walking to his car. Trent drove to Callie's apartment where she answered the door and led him into her bedroom. She locked the door behind them as he took a seat. Trent held a hand out to her and she came over taking it as she sat next to him.

  "We need to talk," he said watching her.

  "Okay."

  He frowned. "Why were you arguing with Marc on campus?"

  Callie lifted a brow. That was not the question she was expecting.

  "Who said I was arguing with Marc?"

  "Isis."

  Callie stood removing her hand. "So you have her spying on me too?" she accused.

  Trent stood too. "I don't have anybody spying on you. She said she spoke to you on campus."

  "I told Isis that Marc and I were discussing a case. Which is the truth," she told him.

  Trent nodded. "Why were you speaking Spanish?" he questioned.

  Callie's eyes widened. "Well damn, what else did she tell you?"

  He stared down at her. "I didn't know you spoke fluent Spanish," he commented.

  "Have you ever asked me?" Callie countered.

  Trent shook his head. "No, I guess I never had any reason to."

  "We were discussing a case Trent. We wouldn't just discuss it out in the open where everyone could hear it. You know that," Callie pointed out.

  He ran a hand down his face. "Okay, you're right about that."

  Callie sat on the bed then put her chin on her hands deep in thought. Trent sat next to her staring at her for a few moments.

  "What are you thinking?" he asked.

  "Should I whip Isis' ass? That's what I'm thinking."

  "Nah, you don't need to do that."

  She turned to him. "Then should I whip yours?" she asked.

  Trent smiled. "You couldn't if you tried."

  She lifted a brow.

  "I've got secrets too," he told her.

  She smiled at him. "So what now baby?"

  Trent took her hand again. "Why did you need to learn how to use a gun?" he asked.

  Callie looked down at their joined hands. "Well you already know that my father is a drug addict. My mother is also an addict. Her addiction is alcohol. My father likes to smoke and not pay his debts. Finally the dealers decided to try to collect from me since they knew they wouldn't get it from him. That's when I had to learn to protect myself."

  Trent frowned. "Did they hurt you Callie?" he asked angrily.

  "They tried. More than once," she confessed.

  Trent turned her face to his. "You didn't want to tell me that?"

  She smiled slightly. "There are a lot of things I don't want to tell you Trent, but if you give me time, I promise you I will."

  "Is there anything I need to know right now?"

  Callie touched his face. "Let me say this, I will never leave you hanging out there that's why I gave you protection. It's the key." She pulled the small silver ankh on the chain from inside his shirt.

  "Is that why you gave me this for my birthday?" he asked touching it.

  She nodded. "This is our sign okay?" She touched the one around her neck.

  "Okay." He touched her face.

  Callie leaned in and kissed him. "Te amo Trent," she whispered against his lips.

  He smiled. "I love you too Callie."

  "Is there anything else you want to ask me?" she asked.

  Dark eyes turned wicked before he kissed her neck. "Yeah..."

  "What's that?" she asked softly.

  "Can I do some things to you?" he whispered putting his hand on her thigh squeezing gently.

  Callie kissed him slowly. "Damn boy, what took you so long?"

  *********

  Ray tried to clear his head while he laid on Isabelle's bed, but that was nearly impossible as she was lying across his back tracing his tattoo...with her tongue. She seemed to like doing that and he liked her doing it.

  "I think you taste like maple syrup," she told him and he smiled.

  "Maple syrup?"

  Isabelle smiled. "Yes, so sweet and tasty." She then ran a finger along the design.

  "Why do they call you the Sun God?" she inquired.

  Ray turned to her and flipped her onto her back. He stared down at her with serious bright brown eyes.

  "I'm named after the Sun God RA. I provide heat and power." He touched her face. "I light my moon and she illuminates all the dark places in my world. She pulls me in with her power and controls the tide of my emotions. During each cycle I'm in awe as she waxes and wanes before becoming new and full. She can shine in the sky beside me and we amaze the world when we stand behind one another and eclipse..."

  Isabelle stared at him in awe. "The moon is very fortunate to have such a powerful force behind her."

  Ray ran a hand down her naked body. "The moon is the most beautiful thing in the heavens."

  She reached up and ran a hand along his hairline and over his head. "You consistently amaze me Ray Parker. Your mind is deeper than Crater Lake."

  Ray smiled. "And you are as shrewd as Hannibal Barca."

  Her hand moved to his mouth and she traced his lips. "I'm battling a god. I have to be," she whispered.

  He glanced around the room at the items spread across the bed and floor. "Where did you get all of this?" he asked.

  "I bought them. Some of them I remembered seeing in your Temple and the others just looked interesting," she explained.

  He stared down at her. "You actually went in a store and bought these?" he questioned.

  She blushed. "Yes, but I wore a hat and sunglasses."

  Ray laughed. "Why did you do this?" he asked.

  Isabelle's gaze turned serious. "Because you make me so happy and I want to do the same for you."

  He stared at her. "Isabelle..." he began quietly.

  She brought a hand to his mouth stopping him. "No questions...no drama," she reminded him.

  Ray removed her hand and kissed her mouth pulling her closer. After he pulled back, he continued to caress her.

  "I made you some dinner if you'd like to eat before you go," she told him enjoying his ministrations.

  Ray tilted his head. "Am I going somewhere?" he asked.

  Isabelle shrugged. "You didn't ask if you could stay."

  He paused and lifted a brow. "I have to ask?"

  She removed herself from his embrace and grabbed her robe on a nearby chair quickly wrapping it around her.

  "I'm not just going to assume that you are," she told him coming to stand next to the bed staring down at his glorious body.

  Ray pulled her down on top of him. "Let's just say that it's a given."

  She smiled happily. "Okay."

  He slid his hands underneath her robe. "You made me dinner?" he asked quietly squeezing her ass.

  She nodded as his hands began their work and he slid her robe off.

  "I'll make you breakfast too, if you want," she breathed as he spread her legs open over him. Ray gave her a sexy grin.

  Isabelle sat up on him and reached to the nightstand for the protection she had also purchased. He watched her retrieve the small package then smiled up at her. Yeah, check.

  Chapter 13

  Isabelle watched as Shana walked towards the table where she had been waiting. To think this was her sister was still mind boggling to her. To think she was trying to blackmail her was si
mply unfathomable. Shana slid into the both.

  "Isabelle."

  "Hello Shana."

  Shana blew out a breath. "What do you want? I'm only here because Daddy's buying me car."

  Isabelle nodded. "I thought we should talk, since we're...sisters."

  "No. We have the same daddy. You and Isis are not my sisters."

  Isabelle frowned. "Why do you seem angry with me? I had nothing to do with this."

  Shana looked at her. "I don't like you and I never have. You always thought you were better than everybody."

  Isabelle shook her head. "No I didn't."

  Shana smirked. "Yes, you did. You had everything. You had Daddy and you had Sean and Jordan following you around everywhere."

  "Sean and Jordan were my friends. My only friends," Isabelle explained.

  "Please, everybody knows that you were so thirsty for Sean."

  Isabelle looked away. "Yes, at one time I did have feelings for Sean. That's not the case anymore." It was definitely not the case anymore.

  Shana laughed. "Yeah, I saw how you looked at the guy with the sexy brown eyes at the party. You're always out of your league aren't you?"

  Isabelle frowned. "If you don't want us to be civil Shana, then fine, I was trying to establish some type of truce between us but I won't sit here and be insulted by you."

  "What did you think Isabelle? We would hug and kiss then become a big happy family?" Shana asked.

  Isabelle put her napkin on the table. "We should go see Daddy now. He wanted to make sure you kept your end of the bargain."

  Shana stood. "I should have asked for more than a car," she commented.

  Isabelle looked at her. "I have a car waiting then I'll bring you back here. Maybe we can talk some more in the car."

  Shana grabbed her purse. "Let's just hurry up. The less time I have to spend with you, the better."

  "The feeling is mutual..."Isabelle said under her breath.

  The pair walked out to the waiting car and got inside. The car took off and Shana looked over at Isabelle. "You ride around in private cars?"

  "I have a special acquaintance who provided it."

  Shana laughed. "I'm sure you do."

  Isabelle lifted a brow. "What does that mean?"

  Shana sat back in her seat and crossed her arms remaining silent. The car stopped and the door opened before Lily and Sage climbed inside then the door closed firmly behind them.