Raymond folded his arms and leaned back in the chair. “I did.”
Keith wagged his forefinger at his friend. “She came back with you when the world knows she was on that show to become famous and not fall in love. That says a lot.”
“But as soon as we got in the cab, her agent called her about going on all of these talk shows to talk about her return,” he said.
“That’s what actresses do.”
“It made me feel some kind of way . . . like she was still using me as a prop and now she was pulling your accident into it.”
Keith shook his head. “Really?”
“Well, she didn’t agree to do any of the shows.”
“What’s the problem? I appreciate you coming back to check on me. I would’ve done the same thing. But you have to realize she never made it a secret that she wanted to be famous. Didn’t stop her from falling in love with you, though.”
“And you figured that out from watching us on TV?”
“I don’t wear glasses and the fact that she’s in New York proves you’re not a prop.”
Before Raymond could reply, Keith’s parents, Lydia and Benjamin, walked into the room. “Thank you, Jesus,” Lydia exclaimed as she rushed to her son’s bedside. She kissed his cheeks. “I heard you talking down the hall.”
Benjamin shook hands with Raymond. “I thought you were on that TV show. When did you get back?”
“Today,” he replied. “I couldn’t stay there not knowing what was going on with Keith.”
Benjamin nodded and smiled. “You two have always been like brothers. I’m glad things turned out better. For a day or two I thought we were going to lose him.”
“I never thought that,” Lydia said, looking back at Raymond and her husband. “Raymond, you’d better get over here and give me a hug. Where is your girlfriend, or was that just made for TV?”
“Too hot for TV is more like it,” Benjamin mumbled.
Lydia shot him a look that was icier than a New York January. Benjamin shrugged but didn’t say another word.
“She had to go back to Brooklyn,” Raymond said noncommittally.
“Roses always say I’m sorry pretty nicely,” Lydia said. “You two may be brilliant doctors, but when it comes to women, both of you are lost. This one took forever to ask Celeste to marry him, and you, Mr. Picky, had to go on TV to find a good woman. What happened to that stuck-up little girl from the Bronx that you used to date? That was a good breakup.”
Raymond shook his head and hid his smile. Lydia was right about Mena; he’d made the best decision when he ended that relationship. Now, he had to save what he and Imani had. “Now that I see you’re in good hands, I’m going to make a run to Brooklyn,” he said. He walked over to Lydia and hugged her.
“I hope she’s good for you,” Lydia said. “You two would make pretty babies. Almost as pretty as Keith and Celeste’s.”
“Thanks,” he said over Keith’s groan. Raymond turned to his friend, “Buddy, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“All right,” Keith said.
Imani slammed into her house, dropped her luggage at the door, and kicked her sandals off. Her eyes were red and raw from crying all the way from the hospital to Brooklyn. Raymond had a damned nerve. He had every right to be upset about his friend being in the hospital, but what had she done to deserve his anger? Imani dropped down on the sofa and thought about calling Edward and telling him to book her on every show that wanted her. Then she recalled the look on Raymond’s face after he heard her agent on the phone. This wasn’t what she thought was going to happen when they returned to New York. What about all of the promises he’d made in Hawaii about teaching her pleasures that she’d never experienced?
Men, she thought, they just think about themselves. Do I get any credit for dropping everything and coming back here with him? I wanted to be there for him. I wanted to be his shoulder and he gave me his ass to kiss. So, to hell with him! Imani fished her cell phone out of her purse and dialed Dana’s number.
“What’s up, superstar?” her friend said when she answered the phone. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Why?” Imani asked.
“First of all, you didn’t go on TV and act like a stereotype. Secondly, you put your heart above your career. You and Raymond are an adorable couple.”
“We’re not a couple!” Imani snapped.
“What?”
“Why don’t you let me buy you dinner and I can tell you all about it.”
“But you left the show with him after his friend got in the accident. That episode just went off.”
Imani rolled her eyes. “When did you start believing everything that you see on TV? Especially reality TV, which is edited to death?”
“I know you, and I know the looks you and Raymond were exchanging were real. You couldn’t edit those in or out. What happened?”
“Can I shower and we’ll talk about it over coconut shrimp at Red Bamboo?” Imani asked.
“All right. I’ll meet you at your place in an hour.”
After hanging up with Dana, Imani headed for the bathroom and took a hot shower. Being back in Brooklyn felt different, felt lonely. She missed Raymond already. It wasn’t as if he was across the hall from her anymore. How would she see him again? They hadn’t even exchanged numbers and addresses.
Just kisses, she thought as the water beat down on her, seeping into her scalp. Is it really over? Imani shut the water off, stepped out of the shower, and grabbed a towel. As she dried her body, her cell phone rang. She rushed into the living room to grab the call, but by the time she reached her phone, she’d already missed the call. She looked at the number and rolled her eyes. It wasn’t familiar and she didn’t feel like dealing with any bill collectors today.
What if it’s about a movie or a Broadway role? she thought as she redialed the number.
“Imani?” Raymond’s voice echoed in her ear.
“How—who is this?” she stammered, trying to play cool.
She heard him chuckle. “It’s Raymond.”
“How did you get this number?”
“You called your agent from my cell phone, so I called him back and begged him for your number. I think he’s going to book us on The Early Show now.”
“Oh, you can joke about that now?” she snapped.
“I was wrong and I owe you the biggest of apologies. Can I make it up to you?”
Can he make it up to me? “I don’t know, Raymond,” she replied, still trying to play cool, but she was wavering in her cool manner. This was not the time to act as if she didn’t care and didn’t want to see him. Not when she’d spent an hour crying because she thought she would never see him again. “How’s your friend?”
“Keith is doing much better. He has quite a few broken bones and he’s going to need a lot of physical therapy.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s all right.”
“But are we all right?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “You still seem to have issues with what I do. You just don’t get that being an actress is only part of who I am.”
“I was an ass, Imani. You know, I’ve been in relationships where my career was an issue and I should’ve been more understanding. I know that you coming back here was a sacrifice and you did that because you care about me, not because you wanted to use this as a way to make your star rise.”
“Finally, he gets it.”
“What are you doing?”
“About to go have dinner,” she said.
“Don’t tell me I’ve been replaced already.”
“I hate to inflate that ego of yours, but you’re pretty irreplaceable.”
“After dinner, do you have plans?”
“ No.”
“I’m sending a car for you. I’m not going to be able to sleep without you in my arms tonight. Where are you having dinner?”
“Red Bamboo,” she replied. “Dana and I are going in about an hour.”
“Well, you enjoy your dinner and I’l
l take care of dessert. And again, I’m sorry about being an asshole earlier.”
“Umm, I’ll think about accepting your apology.”
“I think I can convince you to accept it,” he said before telling her good-bye. Imani smiled and held her cell phone to her chest when the call ended. She couldn’t wait to see Raymond and have her first private moment with him.
Chapter 18
When Dana arrived at Imani’s, her friend had experienced a complete one-eighty from the way she sounded on the phone.
“Okay, what is going on?” Dana asked when a smiling Imani, dressed in a pink and yellow sundress and a pair of gold gladiator sandals, met her at the door. “I thought you were in a funk.”
“Oh, I was. Raymond called.”
Dana nodded, catching Imani’s smiling bug.
“And?”
“Well, he apologized, which I wasn’t expecting. But you know how he found me? He called Edward.”
“So, what happens next?”
Imani shrugged. “After dinner, he’s sending a car to pick me up and then he wants me to spend the night with him. Dana, I think he’s really the one.”
“Tell me something that America and I don’t know already. The vibe between you two was undeniable. I can’t wait to meet the guy.”
“Let’s go,” she said.
They hopped into Dana’s car and headed for the Red Bamboo. “I’m glad you’re still camera-ready, because I imagine the paparazzi might be out. And I heard, the last time I was in Edward’s office, that you’re up for a role in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s new movie.”
“Yes. I read the script and it’s fresh and smart. I hope I get a chance to play Courtney. She’s the kind of character that I can identify with—smart, but not taken seriously because of her looks. I can rock that role.”
“That sounds like you,” Dana said. “I can’t believe this reality show was the shot in the arm your career needed. I should’ve brought my camera so that I could’ve taken a picture of you eating and sold it to a tabloid.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Of course not. But when you become famous and start ignoring me, I do have a bunch of test shots that someone would pay top dollar for.”
Imani pinched her friend on the shoulder. “I will hurt you.”
“Just remember, I know where the bodies are buried. Do you think your reality show beau will let me shoot you two?”
“Umm, I don’t know. Raymond is really private.”
Dana pulled into a parking lot about two blocks from the restaurant. “How is that going to work? Your career isn’t exactly stockbrokering. When you start doing these movies and Broadway shows, you’re always going to be on the cover of a magazine, on Page Six and in the papers. Will he be able to deal with that?”
“I don’t know, but I have to get those roles first.”
“You’re going to get them,” Dana assured. “You showed plenty of range and realism on that show. But would you put your dream on hold for love?”
Imani shrugged. “Why can’t I have both?”
“You can, I guess. Just depends on the good doctor.”
When they arrived at the restaurant, Imani was surprised to see Raymond waiting at the entrance with a dozen roses in his hand.
“Raymond,” she said as she quickly crossed over to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t wait until after dinner to see you and a wise woman told me that an apology isn’t complete without roses.” He handed Imani the longstemmed red roses and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she was breathless. A few passersby who recognized them snapped pictures of the couple as they kissed.
“Ahem,” Dana said, reminding her friend that she was there. Imani and Raymond broke their kiss and turned to face her. “I knew I should’ve brought my camera,” Dana quipped
“Dana, this is Raymond. Raymond, my best friend, Dana,” Imani said.
He extended his hand to Dana. “I hope you don’t mind me intruding on your dinner,” he said as they shook hands.
“Not at all. This gives me a chance to interrogate you,” Dana replied with a laugh.
“All right, let’s do it,” he said as he opened the door for the women.
Imani was surprised that so many people recognized her and Raymond as they walked in and waited for the host to seat them. Any other night, she would’ve loved being the center of attention. She’d craved this type of reaction for years, but tonight all she wanted was to sit in a quiet corner and share dinner with her man and her best friend.
Her man? Yes, he was her man. Now that the show was over—at least for them—she didn’t have to share him with Tres, Lucy, or the millions of viewers. Would tonight be the night that she shared everything with him? She glanced up at him, catching his eyes and the gleam in them. Imani felt as if dessert was going to start in his bed in Harlem and she could not wait.
After they were led to their table and stopped to pose for photos for a few fans of the show, Dana, Imani, and Raymond fell into a comfortable conversation. Imani reached for Raymond’s hand underneath the table and Dana smiled at them.
“Raymond, what are your intentions with my friend over here?” Dana asked.
He lifted Imani’s hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “Strictly honorable,” he said. “I’ve never met a woman like Imani before in my life.”
“And you never will again,” Imani said.
“Then I guess I’d better hold on to you,” he replied, nuzzling her neck.
Dana feigned disgust at her friend’s display of public affection, but she was happy to see a real smile on Imani’s face. When her phone buzzed with a text message, Dana decided to pretend it was an important call about an assignment.
“Imani, we’ll get together soon. I forgot about this shoot at my studio,” Dana said, then turned to Raymond. “It was so nice to meet you, Dr. Raymond.” He rose to his feet and gave her a brotherly hug. “Raymond, Imani’s a handful, but she’s my best friend and if you hurt her, I’m going to hurt you,” she whispered in his ear.
“That you don’t have to worry about,” he replied.
Dana stepped back and waved to the couple, then she left.
“She’s not slick,” Imani said when Raymond sat down. “She didn’t forget anything.”
“Dana is one tough chick, huh?”
“You could say that. We started this journey together and have been the presidents of each other’s fan clubs since forever,” Imani said.
“Can I join the Imani fan club? As a matter of fact, I want to be the CEO.”
Imani placed her hand on his chest. “Let’s clear something up first.”
“All right.”
“You hurt me earlier. Yes, I want to be famous and I want to conquer Broadway, Hollywood, hell even Bollywood, but I would never use you to do that. I—I . . .”
Raymond cut her off with a slow, deep kiss that heated her body like a forest fire. As she wrapped her arms around him, the clicking sound of cell phone cameras echoed in front of them and beside them. Breaking the kiss, Raymond whispered to Imani, “We don’t have to do this in front of cameras anymore.”
“That’s right,” she said as they slipped out of the booth. “But what about dinner?”
“We have food in Harlem.”
Imani nodded and they rushed out of the restaurant under a hail of flashing camera lights. Raymond called for the car as they stood on the curb. “What do you have a taste for?” he asked.
Imani looked him directly in the eye and flashed him a sensual smile that cause a tightening in his pants. “You.”
He inhaled and released a low whistle. “Are you sure about that? Because, I’ve had that same hunger and need since I saw you standing there in that dress.”
Imani twirled around and laughed. “I’m sure,” she said. “I want to feel all of those things you told me about in Hawaii.”
“And what else, Imani, what else do you want?” Raymond drew her into his arms, bru
shing his lips across her forehead. He felt her shiver with desire as he held her.
“Everything,” she said. “I want everything.”
“Then that’s what I’m going to give you,” he said, his voice deep and raw. He couldn’t hide the fact that he wanted to peel her clothes off and kiss her all over. Where was that car? Tonight, his fantasy was going to come true. He’d get to taste her sweetness, her passion, and teach her how he made love to his woman. Because Imani was going to be his forever, and tonight, he was going to brand her with his love. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tightly and nibbled on her ear, before whispering, “I’ve been dreaming about holding you like this and taking you back to my place.”
“Tell me more,” she said as the car pulled up.
“Mmm, I’d rather show you,” Raymond replied as he led her to the car and opened the door.
The trip to Raymond’s brownstone in Harlem seemed excruciatingly long, especially when Imani crossed her leg over his. The heat rising from her body nearly caused him to combust. He ran his finger across her thigh and her skin felt like silk. Imani moaned softly and moved closer into his touch as Raymond massaged her thigh. He could smell her desire rising as he leaned in and kissed her softly on the neck. The intense shiver that ran up and down her spine jolted her like a shock of pure electricity. She backed against the seat and stared at Raymond.
“I guess I found your hot spot,” he said as he stroked her cheek.
“Is that so? Where’s yours?”
Raymond smiled. “You’re going to have to find mine just like I found yours.”
“Is that so?” she asked with a grin. “Do I get to use my hands or my lips?” Before he could answer, Imani was in his lap and running her tongue up and down the column of his neck. His body tingled as if a package of firecrackers exploded inside him. Groaning and fighting back a squeal, he said, “All right, all right. You found one.”
She pulled back from him and smiled. “Good, now we’re even,” she quipped as the car came to a stop. Imani glanced out the window and let out a low whistle when she saw the restored brownstones. “Harlem is beautiful.”
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