Pleading, she said. “I want all of you, Dominic. Please …”
“You will, but first things first.”
“What—”
He took her lips again, then lifted her up and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. Even if she hadn’t been here before, she’d have known it was his; his scent was everywhere and overpowering, and the room, although half-lit with two bedside lamps, looked masculine and spacious. He laid her on the king-size bed and she turned her attention back to him as he straightened and gazed at her. He was beautiful. His dark skin glowed against the topaz light of the lamps, defining his chiselled features. She lowered her gaze to below his waist, and her lips parted at the bulge that strained against the cotton fabric of his sweatpants. Enthralled, she raised her fingers to it, stroking him. He let out a harsh breath and stalled her fingers, raising them to his lips for a quick kiss instead. “Take off your clothes,” he commanded.
She obeyed, her eyes never leaving his. He stared, lost, as she peeled his shirt off her, revealing her breasts, full caramel mounds with peaked nipples. She licked her lips, watching him as he stared at her breasts, mesmerised. Slowly, she raised a finger to her mouth and wetted it, then twirled it around her right nipple. He mumbled a curse under his breath, the visible bulge straining against his pants. “Tell me what you want me to do, Mira,” he said.
She ran a finger in a straight line from his lips to his belly button, then stopping just before his waistline of his sweatpants. “Everything,” she answered.
He lowered himself onto her, pushing his shirt aside to reveal her nakedness. The kiss was demanding, urgent, and she matched the thrust of his tongue with her own, her hips grinding against the throbbing bulge near her inner thighs. She had never wanted a man as much as she wanted him, with so much abandon and a fiery passion that consumed her heart. She loved this man, she was certain now. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she moaned loudly as his mouth covered her nipples, sucking them with fervour. Outside, lightning flashed through the room, and thunder rumbled. The elements seemed to match her desire, her longing, in tune with the way her body writhed as Dominic’s mouth went much lower to her stomach, and finally to the curve between her thighs. By now she was past caring how wanton she sounded with her gasps and groans. He made her feel free, like another woman, separate from her real self. She arched her body reflexively with seething pleasure as his tongue found her clitoris, sending a thousand waves through her. The pressure began building, slow and sensual, and she thrashed her arms around the bed with abandon. Waves of ecstasy filled her up like fluid bubbling from a fountain; and she reined in, stalling, wanting more. Then without warning he pushed a finger inside her, and she couldn’t hold back any more. She lost all control, screaming as the thrilling shocks ran through her. It felt … she had no words to describe her feelings.
She lay spent, her eyes glazed over as she watched him pull off his sweatpants, his member straight and engorged with desire. He watched her too, locking eyes with her as he pulled out a condom from the nearby bedside drawer and slipped it over his erection. Mira smiled appreciatively. He remembered. The others had never remembered – she had been the one who reminded them. The act filled her with so much longing as she rolled over to him, feeling his sheathed member press against her mound, and the ripples of desire awakened, flowing through her pelvis. Seizing his lips with hers, she sat up, her arms linking around his neck, her legs wrapped around his now-naked waist as he slowly eased himself into her. They groaned in unison. He filled her so perfectly, like she was made for him. Mira shut her eyes rapturously, wanting nothing but this moment with him. She let herself go. All that mattered was this moment.
It was a glorious feeling.
The tempo quickened with each thrust, creating a rhythm that united their bodies, made them one. Placing his palms on each side of her, Dominic held her gaze, his face taut with desire. She returned the look, feeling him throb within her, and it took everything from him not to give in to the release that pummelled through his veins. Not now, not yet. As she moaned with each thrust, he deepened his gaze. Then he paused, savouring the connection between them.
“No, don’t stop now,” Mira cried out.
He obeyed her, thrusting with all he had, matching her cries with his moans. They held on, seeking to get there, together. And, when he couldn’t hold back any longer, she was there as well, her muscles gripping him as they fell over the edge, wave after wave clenching their bodies to a shuddering climax. They held each other as the ripples echoed through them, and, as they drifted through the waves of their simultaneous orgasm, they both knew that things would never be the same between them again.
Twelve
“You love her?” Rufus asked.
Dominic smiled with excitement as he forked chunks of fried plantains into his mouth. It was mid-morning and the crew were setting up the props on the beach for the photo shoot. Mira and Ifeoma were yet to arrive, so the three friends had taken a break to have their usual breakfast on the deck of La Greta. “Yes, I’ve never been so certain about anything in my life,” he said with ardour. “Mira is definitely the one.”
Rufus held up his Nescafé coffee mug. “I’m with you, brother. The lady is a keeper.”
Ajoke snorted. “But … how can you be so sure?” she wondered aloud. “I mean, no disrespect, but you said the same thing about Sandra. Now she’s hitched to a senator.”
Dominic laughed. “I have to be honest … I never felt I had a future with Sandra anyway.”
“You say that because you’ve met Mira,” Ajoke said. “A year down the road, you’ll be saying something else.”
“I doubt that. Mira is … different. I feel she’s the one, you know? I can’t explain it.” He sighed and looked out to sea. “You know that feeling when you meet someone and you just … know?”
“Tell me about it,” Ajoke muttered, sipping her glass of iced tea.
Rufus nodded. “Yeah man, I get you. I felt that way with my first love, Funmi.”
“That’s how I feel. I don’t just love her; I may actually consider spending the rest of my life with her.”
“Whoa, easy there, Tiger,” Ajoke whistled, her eyes wide. “Marriage is a long way off; you’ve known the girl for barely a month, abeg.”
Rufus turned to her, irritated. “Hey, cut our dude some slack now, Ajoke. At least be happy for him. He’s clearly happy, and if he says Mira is the one then let’s be supportive and wish him the best. Come on, we know you’re cynical but try to be positive about this.”
Ajoke stared at him for a moment, and then turned to Dominic. She shrugged. “Fine, I’ll try be positive. But don’t come crying to me when your heart gets torn apart, because I won’t be available.” She stood up. “I’ll be at the studio,” she said and stalked out of the restaurant. The men stared at her as she left. Rufus looked puzzled while Dominic leaned back into his bamboo chair with a deep sigh.
Rufus narrowed his eyes at him. “What did she mean by ‘I won’t be available’? Is there something I’m missing here?”
Dominic averted his eyes. “I – it’s nothing, really.”
Rufus gasped. “Nooo! Not you and Ajoke!”
“It was just one night,” he said hurriedly. It was the night Sandra, his girlfriend of four years, had dumped him, the night before he had met Mira. Heartbroken, he had come back home to drown his sorrows, but had found Ajoke in his living room instead, warm and comforting. He needed someone and, after some vodka and an exchange of sob stories, taking off their clothes happened easily. He sighed at the memory. “It was one night I wish had never happened, believe me.”
“And that was the night before you met Mira … dude, what were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t thinking. And besides I had not met Mira yet; do you think I’d have done such a thing if I had?” He sighed. “I really wish I could take it back. But I know this won’t be a problem with Ajoke. We talked afterwards and she assured me that it was what it was – just consensual se
x. No strings attached; I was lonely and needed comfort and she was horny as well. We’re cool about it.”
Rufus shook his head, his eyes sceptical. “Are you sure? Sometimes sex is what it takes for feelings to develop, man.”
Dominic finished his meal and dabbed at his mouth with the napkin. “Not with Ajoke. She’s not that kind of girl … I’m sure she just regards me as a friend. Always has and always will. Besides, she has a boyfriend now, so I guess everyone is happy.” He patted his friend’s shoulder with a smile. “Don’t worry, Ruf … you have nothing to worry about.”
***
Mira had just driven into La Greta’s parking lot when she spotted Ajoke walking briskly towards her blue scooter, her face wet with tears. She screeched to a halt, her brows etched with worry as she got out and hurried towards her. “Ajoke, hey … are you alright?”
Ajoke avoided her eyes. “I-I’m fine … I’m just,” she said, her voice quivering, “I don’t feel so well. Could I take a break from today’s shoot?”
Mira nodded. “Take all the time you need,” she said, meaning it. She might feel wary of Ajoke’s bizarre behaviour but she was not heartless. Besides, the girl looked terrible. Her face had an ashy pallor, and her eyes were already puffy from crying. Whatever or whoever had upset her had done a really nasty job, Mira thought. “Go home and rest and I hope you feel better soon, OK?”
Suddenly a hostile expression crossed Ajoke’s face, and Mira instinctively shrank back. But just as quickly as it came it disappeared. “I hope so,” she said wanly. “I really hope so.”
Before Mira could say a word, she was gone.
***
The Eko Hotel and Suites grand ballroom banquet hall was filled with guests arriving for the launch of the August edition of Black Sparkle magazine. Hundreds of invitations had been sent out the week before, radio stations had been flooded with the commercials, and now the place was bustling with activity as guests began to arrive. The entrance was decorated with a long black carpet hand-painted with silver stars, whilst strategically placed pots of flowers set off the glamorous celebrities and notable figures as they strode in, waving and smiling to the paparazzi cameras. Mira, Sade and T.J. arrived in time to see some of the luminaries as they made their way in; Linda Ikeji the notable entertainment blogger, Genevieve Nnaji the famous Nollywood actress, and Dare Art Alade the R&B crooner. They looked glitzy in their outfits, and the girls couldn’t help staring.
But as one of the organisers, Mira knew she would be needed by the crew. “OK, girls,” she called to her friends, who were still gawking. “We have to go through to the back.”
T.J. frowned at her. “Why?”
“Oooohh, Darey is more handsome in real life than in photos. God, he is gorgeous!” Sade swooned.
Mira sighed. “Yes, he is, Sade, but we really have to go in now …”
“Oh my God, is that Lynxx?” Sade shrieked. They turned to her subject of adulation: the tall handsome Afropop performer. “Somebody please pinch me so I’ll know this is real—”
T.J. hit her lightly with her bag. “Abeg, Sade, shut up … kini e? What is this? Stop mooning like a lovestruck teenager at a Twilight movie premiere. It’s embarrassing.”
Sade glared at her. “But you were gaping a few seconds ago!”
“Eh heh, so what? Bite me!”
“Oh, for God’s sake, will you come along?” Mira complained. “I’m late and I’ve got to get you a table – the hall will be full soon.”
To be honest, she wasn’t concerned about Lauren or the crowd or even getting a table for her friends – all she was eager to see was Dominic. He had called an hour ago and told her he was coming down with the crew. Mira wanted to see him again, to spot him across the room and feel the excitement jump-start her heart and flood her with warmth. They had started dating shortly after the end of the shoot, and Dominic gave her every reason to believe he was the one, even though their relationship was still in its early stages. He loved and respected her. She was overwhelmed by how much she trusted him, how much she could reveal herself to him without holding anything back.
She loved him.
The thought filled her with longing. “Come on, we have to go in,” she said.
T.J. sent her a nasty look. “What? No way, Sade and I are going to walk in on the carpet and get our pictures taken,” she said, looking over at Sade, who nodded in approval.
“But you’re just a flight attendant and caterer – what will you say if they interview you?”
T.J. laughed. “Honey, you see this dress?” she said, gesturing to her black and gold sequinned half-cut dress. “This shit here cost fifty grand, excluding the shoes and jewellery. Ask me again what the TV people will interview me for.”
“And I could talk about my cakes!” Sade added. “One of the celebs may need a cake in the future. And, who knows, maybe they’d hire me!” She giggled.
Her friends looked at her.
“Or maybe not,” Sade said and hung her head.
“Rrrright, go on then. I’ll see you inside,” Mira said. They left and she hurried to a door at the corner of the building, the backstage area reserved for the organisers. She met Adeleye and Lade waiting at the door. “Don’t tell me,” she said, “Lauren sent you to find me.”
“You know her well,” Adeleye said as they walked through the noisy room full of organisers bustling around. “She threatened Lade that she would not make it to the end of the day if she didn’t find you in the next 30 minutes, so I had to help in the search. I don’t want Lauren murdering my girlfriend.” He winked at Lade, who blew him a kiss. Mira rolled her eyes and they laughed. They soon spotted Lauren a metre or two away, barking orders to some of their colleagues. “OK, you’re on your own, bye,” Adeleye said and they hurried away.
Mira walked over to her boss. “Hello, Lauren.” She was grinning from ear to ear.
Lauren turned, and then raised her brows. “Mira. Hmm, don’t you look amazing … nice dress!”
Mira smiled. “Thanks, Lauren. You don’t look bad yourself,” she said, looking at her boss’s black turtleneck gown. OK, maybe she was pushing it – the dress was two sizes too small and its front was weighed down with gemstones. She looked like a middle-aged woman dressed for a students’ prom dance, Mira thought.
Lauren must have read her mind because she snorted. “Ha! Please don’t patronise me … I know I look hideous.” She raised her hand to prevent Mira from contradicting her. “I forgot how much damage junk food can do to a middle-aged woman’s figure. I had no choice though – my boys wanted me to join in the fun and persuaded me to buy this dress.” She was referring to her last trip to London where she had spent time with her sons.
“You look amazing, Lauren.” Mira repeated. “And not remotely hideous.”
Lauren flashed a smile. “Well, thank you! On the other hand, if you hadn’t flattered me I could have fired you, you know,” she added and they laughed. Adeleye and Lade, passing by with stacks of the programme of events, raised their eyebrows and Mira shrugged at them. They gave her the thumbs up.
“So when are you going onstage?” Mira asked, resisting the urge to look at her watch.
“Twenty minutes from now,” Lauren said.
Mira walked over to the curtained door behind the stage and peered at the ballroom. It was filled with guests. Soft music was playing, and she could see the band on a platform. Twinkling gold lights hung from the walls, and two chandeliers overhead revolved slowly, their gold crystals clinking together. “You did a great job, Mira,” Lauren said, pulling back the curtains. “I am proud to have you as my assistant editor.”
“Thank you, Lauren!” she said, amazed. “And I couldn’t have done it without the crew – everyone was helpful and hard-working.”
Lauren smiled. “Speaking of that, I heard you’re sleeping with Dominic.”
All the wind was taken right out of Mira’s sails. She started, blinking rapidly at her boss as heat crept up her cheeks. “What? No!” she squawke
d in such a guilt-riddled voice, Daffy Duck would have been proud. “We-we’re just friends.”
“Just friends, huh?” Lauren rolled her eyes. “Most people in the office think otherwise – they said you were all over each other.”
“That’s not true!” Mira objected. Lauren did not look convinced, so she continued. “Well … yes, we had some minor differences during the shoot, but that was it. We’re not sleep …” she cleared her throat noisily. “We’re not a couple.”
“So why have you been looking around and whispering his name?”
“I-I have?”
Lauren grinned at her. “Go ahead – spill the beans before they choke you.”
Mira heaved a sigh. “OK, we’re dating.”
The master of ceremonies poked his head through the curtains. “We’ll soon be calling you onstage, Mrs Lauren … are you ready?”
“Give me one minute,” Lauren said. She turned back to Mira. “Always be honest, Mira … an honest person has nothing to lose. Whatever you have with him – whatever you intend having with him – is entirely up to you … not my business, dear. You’re an educated, intelligent young woman and I know you can handle it. But all I can say is that Dominic is a wonderful man, and I’m not saying this because he’s my nephew. I’m sure you know this already.” She placed her index finger on her chin thoughtfully. “Not to be nosy, dear but … did he tell you about his mother?
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