by Amarie Avant
Way too soon to ruminate over a solid future.
I reach over, right hand digging into the sand to steady myself and trying not to get much sand onto the blanket, I grab the strap of my satchel with the left hand and drag it closer.
I snatch up my cell phone from the side compartment and call Riley.
It rings and rings.
“Hey, little man. Call me when you have the chance.”
I press the end call button and fidget with my fingers.
No Daniel. Too vulnerable to consider Daniel.
All the while my brain shouts this new-found credo, my thumb has automatically pulled up the text app and tapped onto the stream of messages with Daniel.
“I can text him. It's been all day anyway. There'll be no slip ups—” no pun intended. “Forget about mentioning vertically challenged, soft, loveable creatures with a scent that's only comparable to… baby.”
The iPhone somersaults from my hand. Damn, self-defense mechanism kicking in like a mofo.
“But we would make pretty babies.” I grind my teeth. Gotta stop talking to myself out loud while at a public beach.
Jumping up, I head for the phone which is wedged in soggy brown sand. I grumble at myself for this gross blunder. After rubbing the phone off on my thigh, I reclaim my spot, and on automatic, return to my text message stream with my man.
DESIRE: Jules and Lee are too cute. Gotta tell you how they united.
Daniel
“Please tell me if I'm speaking out of turn,” Gertrude adds as we sit in a Titan Aerospace conference room. We are the first to arrive for the meeting, and the conversation is going well. I’ve always respected her, even when I was a child. But right now, I'm stuck on the statement she has just made about my late and not so fucking great grandfather, Wentworth.
Gertrude’s smile wavers. “Daniel, I am speaking out of…”
“No,” I hold up a hand, “We all have a right to our opinion. You say Wentworth once was a good man. Maybe you should initiate the speech tomorrow evening at the museum gala.”
Her perfect, white smile fades and the crinkles in her eyes deepen. Fuck, I just added salt to the wound, although I hadn’t meant to sound like a complete asshole.
I press my palm against the back of my neck and rub. “I apologize, Gertrude.”
“I spoke out of turn.”
“No, ma'am. I forgot my manners. Regardless of our different beliefs, I had no right. Please continue.”
She glances toward the door of the board room. She’s always the first to arrive. And like many times before, we were engaging in a good conversation until talk switched gears.
“Um… I just wanted to say that I was introduced to Nolan as a child.”
“He always told me you were one of his oldest friends, and bragged about you when I was just ‘knee high to a duck’s tail’ at that flight convention you were honored for.” I smile fondly. Good memories do a wealth with covering bad blood. I hated Wentworth’s guts toward the end, when I found out what a douchebag he really was. “Gertrude, weren’t you one of the ones his parents chose for him?”
She grins. “What's a king without his queen’s dowry?” she jokes. “Nolan and I were fond of each other. Nothing more than platonic. He taught me how to fly a plane when females weren't meant to be pilots. Still are a minority in this respect.”
I stop, step out of my feelings, and listen. I've always liked Gertrude; the relationship has been amicable and prosperous for the both of us.
“So, how's the museum speech coming along?” Gertrude asks again which is the impetus for this entire argument.
“Good. I’ll be prepared tomorrow evening. Like you said, Wentworth’s redeeming factors will be the focal point of my monologue. I have a question for—”
“Daniel, Gertrude.” Paul enters the room. He glances at his watch and then us. “There isn't some sort of malfunction with all of the clocks, is there? I'm early.”
As they talk, I arise from the seat and move toward the head of the room. I'll speak with Gertrude later. It's time to play hardball.
Ephraim will arrive this evening. On the chance he doesn't have the appropriate news regarding my grandfather’s will, I'll need to take measures into my own hands.
My Mama Odessa should be the first on the list. She knew Wentworth better than Grandmother Marilyn and Gertrude. But I fixate on her voice while she spoke of him to Desire five days ago. Odessa has fond memories of him. I’ll only ruin her image of him, so Gertrude it is, if it comes to that.
The members trickle inside in pairs of golfing and tennis buddies, one more solo like Paul except not so confrontational.
“Everyone fitted for a new tux or dress?” I begin the meeting with talk of tomorrow’s festivities.
My cell phone pings once the statistics are passed out.
Desire.
My mouth creases at the edges as I pick up the phone. She has texted me about my kid sister and Lee.
DANIEL: wait just 1 min. It's been ages since I've tasted ur skin or kissed ur lips. U bring them up? I’d rather have a pic of those sexy hammys.
DESIRE: call my thighs hammy one mo x.
DANIEL: Ham hock??
DESIRE: (Fist emoji) @Daniel
DESIRE: U + I are a team! I gathered intel. You're gonna love the story of your sister and Lee :)
DANIEL: Tit shot. Ass shot. No more texts until I see something.
“You look rather amused,” Paul quips, clearing of his throat.
“You don't even know the half of it,” I reply.
Gertrude winks. A few others chuckle in amusement.
The text application pings once again. This time a photo of Desire's puckered mouth and the curve of her breasts show. I smile, sliding the cell into my pocket.
###
Since Desire, Juliet, and Lee are returning late in the evening, I order Chinese takeout. Ephraim arrives just before the food, and my Jeep pulls in seconds later, so there’s no time for a private chat.
Following dinner, Desire opts to clean the kitchen. Juliet and Lee disappear to one of the far corners of my home while Ephraim and I retreat to the drawing room.
He pulls off his tailored jacket, stalks around over the limestone flooring, and issues a hard-cleansing breath. “The invitation I received for tomorrow’s event indicated that you and your grandfather would be honored. There was no mention of a debutante soiree. Or I received the wrong goddamn memo!”
Chin tilted, I ask, “Ephraim, since the beginning of time, you’ve had no fucking filter. Before you continue, allow me to let you in on something that I wasn't aware is a secret based on my interaction with Desire. I really like her. That being said, choose your words wisely.”
“Okay, you like her. With that body, and her witty responses during dinner, who wouldn't. But set Desire aside for a second and get it through your head that we’ve worked entirely too hard to let the pieces fall as they may. We are—”
“What’s this ‘we’ shit you've tossed into the discussion?”
He nods his head slowly. “I love a good piece of ass all day, any day. Desire is… she’s super fucking gorgeous, Daniel, but I’m just as vested in Titan Aerospace as you are, bud. Give me a chance to rectify Wentworth’s wrongs.” He holds his hand out.
“So uninvite Des from the museum tomorrow night?”
“No, she should attend. It’ll be PR for the jet launching at the end of the month if word is out that you’ve got a new fucking event coordinator, when Titan has an entire marketing campaign. Can’t fathom what you needed with a new event planner, but okay, whatever. Keep her!” He grumbles. “Just consider the proximities. Arm’s length is more than appropriate at a museum gala.” Ephraim extends his hand to seal the deal. When I don’t shake it, Ephraim shakes his own hand. “Why thank you, Mr. Rutledge. I’m glad you’ve decided to take heed of my advice.”
I reach out and pat his shoulder. “No can do, bro. I’m in love. Damn, should I say it again to solidify the fact? Although this is a new love,
one day I'll be working the creative gears of my mind,” I smile, gesturing toward my head, “in an attempt to figure out how to propose to her. By that time, I want my oldest buddy—and that's where you fucking come in, Eph—to have my way out of my grandfather’s rules.”
“I honestly need a damn drink. Thousands of square footage in this house and not one single wet bar.” Ephraim shakes his head before gulping down the rest of his cranberry juice. “You’re not your father, ya know?”
“I know. Make yourself a cup of coffee,” I tell him. “Now I’m going to bed with the woman who will one day become my wife. Look on the bright side, maybe Desire is one of those millennial women who aren't interested in marriage.”
He clutches his heart, stumbles back a few steps before smiling. “Yeah right, Daniel, you'll swing her to your way of thinking if she is. We were scoring chicks as hot, horny adolescents and still you made time to force us to watch Disney movies with Jules. And what does every Disney movie end with?” He grumbles, mumbling, “Fucking marriage, that's what.”
“She is the one, Ephraim.”
All right, I’m your best man. Either it’s San Tropez, Paris, or at the rate you’re going, the fucking court house. I’ll bring recyclable bags so the two of you can collect the rice thrown at you—for hard times. Cheers to a long engagement.”
“Damn, Eph.” I point at him, “You, are truly a character. Step up to bat, bro. Step up to bat.”
“Ha!”
“You've never failed me. But I promise to still be your friend if we both lose our greatest assets.”
“That's not fucking funny, Daniel. At least you'll have love. I'll never settle and have kids.” He rubs his jaw, and then his dark brown eyes light in thought. “What if you two had children?”
“I love Desire, but no rushing things.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Eph, what the fuck are you getting at? One second you're joking about rice, the next you want me to propose and knock her up?”
“All right, don't make an honest woman outta her. Get her pregnant.”
I pick up the glass he had cranberry juice in and sniff.
“Man, I wish I had vodka for it but I don't. Just hear me out. You need an heir.”
“So get Desire pregnant.
“The entire clause is about nuptials with a Caucasian woman. Rebecca will have me at court.”
“No, she won't, but ‘explain.’” I order.
He holds up his hands and damn, I can see white flags in his eyes. Ephraim can be a weasel at times. He confesses, “You won't let me get down and dirty…”
“I'm not letting you kill that bitch. I won't have anyone's blood on my hands.”
“Let's get one thing straight. I wouldn't personally pull the trigger. Now for the wee baby aspect, your boy or girl will have Rutledge blood.”
“But marriage? I'm not getting Desire pregnant until we've discussed and agreed to it. What the fuck are you keeping from me, Eph?”
“Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, the primary executive of your estate at the Rydell and Rydell Money Management was as much a good friend of my grandpa Ian as he was Wentworth I. Let's just say that maybe crackhead Becky isn't fully versed on certain portions of the will that don't pertain to her.”
“What do you mean?” I growl. “Are you saying the team at Rydell didn’t tell her the very information she should already know about? Rebecca called me threatening to attend the museum exhibit. She wants money!”
“Of course, she does. Don't we all want money?”
“Ephraim!”
“She's most likely inquiring about her monthly stipend. Isn’t she supposed to be clean? Wentworth Rutledge’s estate is such a big account, I believe a junior associate—not even a fucking secretary, but a goddamn associate— is in charge of obtaining drug results each month, if Rebecca believes she can pass. And that's been a while. So ha, she wants her monthly crumbs.”
“Fuck, Eph! The executive has kept her in the dark? If Rebecca finds out her right to my company and it appears I’ve been manipulative, my name will be slammed! Your deception is a reflection on me.”
“Her right? She's barely blood, Daniel. She doesn't give a fuck about you or Titan. The second she has power, nobody will! The entire establishment would go to shit.”
“But I have to play fair. No bad karma, bro,” I huff.
“Should I speak with the estate management team at Rydell? We can have them tell her—it will have been their oversight.”
The color returns to Ephraim’s face when I reply, “Not yet.”
I rub my jaw, exiting the room. Ephraim is right about Rebecca. She doesn't give a shit about anyone other than self. And despite my feelings about my grandfather Wentworth, he loved this company. Nurtured it from the ground up. Do I have selfish ambition? Maybe. But I have added to the fold. It's my fucking company.
The kitchen is spotless and no Desire here. I head upstairs.
I meander toward the bedroom in thought. I’ve already memorized the details of Desire Taylor’s innocent face. Those ever-sparkling eyes, especially during a debate. Her nose crinkles when she feels as if something isn’t up to par. And those fucking lips are like pillows kissing my cock. I love everything about her, so it’s up to myself and Ephraim to straighten everything out. We will hold off on having Rebecca informed.
Desire
I cleaned the dishes, showered, and am dressed in a silk camisole with matching panties. While waiting for Daniel in bed, I’ve wondered about Ephraim Levine. Ephraim is a hard character to crack. He is Daniel’s longest friend from childhood. His suits are just as crisp as Daniel’s but it's his mouth that worries me—too eager to talk, too content with being the center of the world. I kept having to remind myself that he's a lawyer during dinner with the way he commandeered the conversation.
While I'm contemplating, Daniel enters.
“So, what’s the story behind you and Ephraim?” I ask Daniel as he closes the door behind him.
“We’re in the bedroom. No discussing another man while in our bedroom.”
My eyebrow rises. “Our bedroom.”
“Your presence made this house a home,” Daniel says, picking up my silk robe from the floor. I'm still stuck on the words I so desperately want to say to him. And he's already carved a place for me in his vast universe.
Feeling uncomfortable about my underlying reservations of saying I love you, I ask, “You meant I turned this ‘mansion’ into a home. In all actuality, it was pretty ‘homey’ when I arrived, Daniel. Now, what was this tension between the two of you during dinner? Every time Ephraim bragged about himself, you shot him down.”
Daniel’s abdominals stretch as he pulls his V-neck over his head. Damn sneak, he knows I’m addicted to his body. Once I get my eyes on him, it’s hard to decipher …whatever it is I am inquiring about. A second ago, I was curious about something. Now my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth. I’m fully silenced as Daniel places his index finger to his glorious mouth.
“Shhh, Des. No talking about another man in the bedroom.”
I squeeze my legs tighter, the void between my thick thighs increasing as Daniel undoes his belt.
“Whatever the fuck I have, you have,” Daniel tells me, his voice deep. My pussy thumps, percolating with desire.
“And trust me, Des, all I have, you need.” His pants slide down slim hips. The bulge in his boxer briefs is more than a need. It gives me life.
I open my mouth, but Daniel places his index finger back at those thick lips. “You’re my woman. Nod your head if you’d like me to make love to you in ways you’ve never been made love to.”
I gulp, giving him the go-ahead. Shit, I have never made love until I met him…
Daniel pushes his boxers down to his knees, then presses one heel after the other to get them all the way down.
Daniel climbs into bed. His large hand engulfs much of my thigh. I give a sharp shrill of shock. He isn’t pulling my legs wide
open to eat me out. No, he grabs my thigh and yanks. A half a second later, I’m beneath his girth, and twisted around onto my stomach.
His hand slams down on my ass. “You've never enjoyed any boys. That's why you've waited a long time for me.”
I grin. “Cocky much?”
A flash of pain burgeons across the caramel coating of my thick left ass check, the hit as hot as liquid lava. My eyes widen in shock; I glower over my shoulder at him. He becomes aware that I’ve never been hit before, not like this. A smug grin comes along with his dominating demeanor too.
He doesn’t apologize.
Though I give the appearance of not backing down, the control I grasp at is slipping away. “Boy, those love taps you’ve weaseled into our sex sessions a few times before, those I like. This shit you just tried—fuck, I just saw stars. It’s torture. Do not try me again,” I caution.
“I own you.” Daniel’s mouth caresses my earlobe in the same instance his erection spears my thigh. “One day soon, you’ll beg for me to dominate you.”
“Is that so, Goldilocks?” I turn my neck and he reaches down to kiss me.
“I see our future, sweetheart. Me spanking that ass until it’s a golden peach hue is inevitable.”
I giggle when he turns me onto my back, planting himself between my thighs. The spark in my gaze tells him that I don’t believe a single word of the crazy BDSM bullshit he’s just had to say. Daniel hasn’t tried that bondage crap since our first encounter. And like I just said, he can slap my ass around a bit, but I have a low tolerance for pain, unless it’s his cock pulling the trigger.
Daniel slips off my panties. Callused fingertips brush against my inner thighs. Daniel then smacks the innocent flesh, hard enough to force them wider. Air washes into my lungs as I sigh. Daniel’s cock kisses my clit, rolling around taunting it before dipping into my pussy.
He leans up on his forearms. “Des, damn baby, you’re missing one of the world’s most beautiful sights.”
I lean forward some. His vanilla colored cock is shiny as it slams into me. “I wanna see.”