I sucked my teeth. “While you were out getting your siphon on, I was in bed trying to fight off the flu.”
“Never mind that, I got her number for you, dog. We didn’t ruin her too much, but we did play with her a little bit.”
“Ewww,” Santana finally said.
Desmond let out a howl. He was very amused with himself. “If you want, I can call them up and get them to come over this weekend. Do you think you’ll be ready then, playa?”
I hung up the phone. Something I should’ve done from the beginning. I figured if Desmond came over, kicking his ass was better than what he would possibly say next.
“I apologize for him.”
Santana stood with her mouth still agape. I could tell her thoughts were flying a million miles a second.
“Is that how you get down, Josiah?”
I frowned and gritted my teeth. “What do you think, Santana?”
I folded my arms and leaned on the counter as we stared each other down from across the kitchen.
Santana shrugged as her eyelashes fluttered. “I’m not sure what to think. From what I do know of you, you’ve been nothing but a sweetheart. A lady killer nonetheless but a sweetheart.”
“A lady killer?” I asked, smirking.
“You know you’re a lady killer. But I have to wonder if you’re anything like the company you keep.”
I moved away from the counter and strolled to her, turning Santana in my arms to nuzzle my nose behind her ear.
“I would never do something so vile. Hopefully, the more you get to know me, you won’t have to question my character this way again.”
I felt her melt in my embrace, and I tightened my squeeze, laying a kiss against her temple.
“I need a knife,” she said, and I bristled. A giggle fled from her. “To cut up my onions for the soup.”
That made me relax a bit. “Watch what you’re doing with that blade, girl,” I said, opening a drawer to reveal a set of butcher knives.
My phone rang again, and I groaned.
“Put it on speaker,” Santana said.
I gave her an incredulous look.
“What?” She shrugged. “You got something to hide?”
I groaned and blew out a breath but obeyed her.
“Yes,” I answered.
“This is Samantha Lean, your father’s assistant. I thought I would have to hunt you down for a minute, Josiah.”
“You only have to track people when they owe you something, and I don’t owe you anything. What can I do for you, Ms. Lean?”
“Why must you be so cruel? I thought you would take this news better than you are. What’s the problem, Josiah? Talk to me about it?”
“Cruel? I don’t think I’m cruel at all, Ms. Lean.”
“Then talk to me please.”
“Are you my counselor now?”
“I can be.”
I hung my head and peeked over at Santana who was chopping onions, bell peppers, and carrots on a cutting board.
“Can we talk about this some other time?”
“Josiah, I’ve been trying to reach you since you left my office yesterday. I’m supposed to cancel a transfer of funds to your bank account if you don’t sign this agreement. I’m literally disobeying a direct order from my boss in the hopes that you’ll come to your senses and sign. And now you want to call me back?”
Ms. Lean blew out an angry breath, and this time when I glanced over at Santana, she was tuned into our conversation with a questionable look on her sweet face.
“Ms. Lean, I don’t mean to give you a hard time.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Ms. Lean uttered.
“I know it seems I’m a bit thick-headed, but I don’t play these types of games, and I don’t understand how my father can. He’s pressuring me into marriage to get my inheritance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t care. He can keep it. I’ve always had the desire to build my own empire from the ground up anyway. It’s just the way he put it out there. As a proud son, I would’ve been pleased to take over for my pops, but I’m not with his asinine plan.”
“You have a meeting with your father and a potential partner today at 3 p.m.,” Samantha said with a sigh.
“What do you mean potential partner?”
“You didn’t know? Oh, I guess you ran out on me so quick I didn’t get the chance to tell you. Your father has started interviewing potential successors to take over his business in the event that you can’t be man enough to grow up and take over yourself. Your father’s words, not mine. However, if you do take over the business, you might have a partner.”
Surprised, a low guttural chuckle balked from me.
“So, let me get this straight. My father has arranged a meeting for me to meet the person who would take my spot if I didn’t conform to his outrageous demands?”
“Yes,” she said simply. “Should I count you in or out?”
“You know what, I would love to be there,” I said.
“Okay, I’ll let your father know you will be prompt. And Josiah, be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I dropped the phone back in the cradle and stared at it for a second. “I should’ve never answered the phone,” I murmured.
A warm hand cruised up against my back, and I shivered under Santana’s touch.
“Josiah, I know it’s none of my business, but from that conversation, it sounds like you have an excellent opportunity to run your dad’s company. But I don’t understand what it has to do with you being married.”
I turned to her, and she held a bowl of hot soup on top of a cool plate.
“This is for you,” she said.
I didn’t need to lean my nose into the steam that rose from it to smell the spicy scent that drifted from the ceramic bowl.
“Thank you, Santana.”
“You’re welcome.”
I took the dish off her hands and sat it down on the counter next to me then pulled her arms around my waist. With my face looking down into her beautiful eyes, I spoke.
“I love my father. He’s been the backbone of our family since my mother’s passing.”
“Josiah, I’m so sorry.”
I kissed her lips. “Don’t be. I was so young when it happened I don’t remember her. I only have pictures and the stories from my father and brothers. I’m telling you this because I want you to know why I feel the way I do about my father’s ridiculous demands.”
Santana’s brows bunched, but she didn’t respond, opting to listen instead.
“My father owns a chewing gum company, Gemz.” Her eyes widened; by now I was sure just the mention of the business name was enough for anyone to recognize it because of its popularity. “He wants me to run the business. He had a contract drawn up for me to sign. I would get four million direct transfer when I did. And next year on my twenty-eighth birthday, I’d get fifteen million plus become the company’s CEO with all rights transferred over to me.”
Santana’s eyes widened. “That’s incredible,” she said.
“Except that he wants me to find a wife. And if I don’t he’s interviewing someone to take that spot. Never has my father handed his company over to anyone outside of the family. Long story short, he’s trying to strong-arm me into getting married. I can’t figure out why. He has three sons who just married within two years.”
“Maybe he just wants you to show some responsibility. Maybe it’s not about you being married at all,” Santana said.
“You don’t think I’m responsible?”
“I don’t mean it that way. He wants to know you’re stable enough to run a company. It’s a responsibility like a marriage of sorts. Maybe it’s not about you getting married but actually considering marriage.”
I stared at her lovely mouth, letting her words sink inside me.
“You’re brilliant,” I said.
She smiled. Warm and beautiful. Santana took a step back and dipped into a curtesy then serenaded me with the sexiest laugh I had ever he
ard. My ears tingled, and a stroke of heat coated me.
“So, all you need to do is call Ms. Lean back and tell her you’ll sign the contract.”
“Mmm,” I said, pulling my eyes away from her lips. “What happens when my father wants to meet the woman that may be my potential wife?”
Her wide eyes dimmed a bit, and she straightened her posture. “Well, you’ll give him one. You have plenty of women to choose from. I’m sure any of them would be happy pretending to be your potential wife no matter how long. Just call Desmond back. He has two sets of twins.”
I squinted at her and cocked my head to the side. Santana shifted her weight and tugged at her dress.
“I don’t want what Desmond’s offering. But since you came up with the idea, it’s only right if you helped me execute it.”
She laughed again. A deep throaty laugh. “Sure.” She shrugged. “I enjoy your company. I could stand being around you for a while.”
I couldn’t say that I was shocked Santana agreed. I loved the wild side about her. It’s why I couldn’t help but seek her out when we were in Montego Bay. I took a step then another toward her and crossed my hands behind my back.
“You can stand to be around for a while, Santana?”
My arms fell, and I locked her between the counter and myself, placing each hand on either side of her. She leaned into the counter and propped her elbows back to rest on top.
“That’s what I said,” she replied.
“And you enjoy being in my company?”
The heat coming from her skin coupled with mine held us in a warm cocoon. Santana stared up at me, and I looked down at her, seconds away from her sweet lips.
“My family is very popular. We’ll be seen in the newspaper and on TV from time to time. Are you okay with that?”
She swallowed. “Yeah, I’m fine with it. It’s cool.”
Santana kept her composure, but I could see the angst building. “So, you’re okay with being my fake wife, then?”
“Fiancé,” she corrected, “totally fine with that. It will be fun.” She smiled up at me.
“What if we have to take it all the way? Are you going to help me see this thing through?” She was flustered. I could see Santana fighting with reason.
“If it comes down to that, and the company is important enough to you, then we’ll finish it.”
I stared at her, amazed, and I looked forward to hearing her say I do. Her acceptance revved my engine, and my eyes fell back to her lips.
“You know that means we’ll have to show public displays of affection.” Santana shivered. “Sometimes I’ll have to kiss you like this…” My lips pushed against hers, and I opened my mouth, letting my tongue trace the curves of hers. A long slow dragging moan escaped her. My arms circled her waist, and her hands held a firm grip on my neck as she pulled me into her.
Santana’s hunger fed mine, and I ate her up. Kissing down her neck, I lifted Santana with ease and set her on the counter, removing her leggings in one snatch. She yelped, and for a moment I thought I saw fear, making me halt my progress.
It disappeared quickly and was replaced by want.
“Don’t be afraid of me, Santana,” I said, letting it be known that the expression had not escaped me. “I won’t do anything to hurt you.”
I pulled her legs over my shoulder, and she leaned back on her elbows. Diving into her center sent me straight to heaven. Her lips were wet and sweet, like ripe strawberries blended in whip cream. My tongue explored her deep within, and I felt her rock against my face.
“Josiah…” she purred, making me suck her in whole. “Oh my God,” she sang.
My mouth moved to her clitoris, and she bucked and moaned.
“Oh!” She squealed. “If you keep that up, I’m going to come!”
Her thighs quaked, and I held them steady in place as I applied pressure over her sensitive flesh. She screamed, and I stabbed her clitoris with my tongue, sucking and drinking her unabridged. Her moans turned into mumbles, but I wouldn’t let up, only delved deeper into her wet sanctuary.
“Oh my God!” She screamed again. “Josiah!”
Santana held my head, and I devoured her as if she was the dinner I never had. Her body jerked as an angry orgasm ripped through her, and I lapped her sweet crème with a guttural growl.
“So sweet,” I whispered, continuing to lap at her folds. “So sweet,” I repeated, enamored in a meal that satisfied my hunger like a thirst for water. Once I’d licked her dry, I kissed between her thighs heavily, worshiping her temple. My kisses landed on her navel, and I pulled her dress up to kiss on the undertones of her breasts. Again, her body trembled.
“Thank you, Santana.”
She lifted her head, still trying desperately to catch her breath.
“For what?”
“For being as brilliant as you are. For being my wife.” Her eyes lurched. “Pretending at least,” I corrected. “You didn’t have to come up with that, but since you have, the meeting with my father tonight would be a good time to introduce you two.”
I leaned over her and kissed her shoulders.
“That’s fine.” Her voice shook. “I just need to go home and change into something nice.”
“We’ll probably need to spend a lot of time together. You know,” I said, “learning each other’s likes and dislikes. This will be a daily test. My father will be watching from afar. Are you sure you can handle this?”
Resolute, she said, “I can. What about you?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Santana sat up, causing me to stand upon her adjustment.
“You can’t date other people. You can’t be caught flirting or entertaining other women. You have to behave like we’re exclusive. Can you do that, Josiah?”
“You don’t think I can?”
“I’m not sure, but this is your thing, so if you want to pull this off, you’ve got to put it to the test.”
I smiled. “Santana, I’ve been single all my life because I want to be. Not because I can’t be exclusive.”
Santana smirked, and her lashes lowered. “Really, because I don’t take too kindly of my future fake husband flirting with other bimbos.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Future fake husband? Bimbos?”
“You heard me.”
“I’ve never dated bimbos. I’m a very selective man.”
“Ha! We’ll see about that. What time is this meeting?”
“At three.”
Her eyes extended.
“Oh my God, Josiah, it’s two fifteen!”
“Well, you better get on with it, girl.”
“I’m going to be late to the first meeting with your father! Oh my God.”
My eyes softened, and suddenly I felt a tug on my chest. I reached out to Santana to halt her hurried pace. She looked at me with eyes wide.
“What?”
“You really care about this, don’t you?”
She straightened. “Of course. It’s what you want. You’re my friend. I care about you.”
The room closed in on us as we stared each other down.
“Thank you, Santana. This means a lot.”
Her smile was radiant. “You’re welcome, Sir, now move it, I’ve gotta go get ready.”
“I’ll be there to pick you up in twenty minutes.”
“No!” she said, shaking her head. You go to the restaurant, and I’ll be there in an hour. I’m sure there’s something you’ll have to talk about before I get there. Remember this meeting isn’t solely about us. It’s about this partner.”
At the halfhearted look on my face, Santana pleaded. “You’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll be there before you could miss me.”
“I miss you already.”
She smiled that beautiful full-face beam. “Oh hush.” Giggling, Santana ran out the door.
Chapter Eight
Chops Lobster Bar
I was late. A Toyota Corolla swerved and jumped in front of me, and I leaned into t
he steering wheel and slammed on my breaks.
“Shit.”
The offending car shot off down the street, paying no mind to my Infiniti on the side of the road. Other cars went around the rear of my car that stuck out in traffic. I was across the street from Chops Lobster Bar, and I was sure my father thought I was a no-show. With some effort, I eased back into traffic and crossed the crowded intersection into the parking lot of the restaurant. Swiftly, I left the vehicle and strolled inside. I was approached immediately.
“Welcome to Chops, Mr. Rose. I have your party of three this way if you’ll follow me.”
The server guided me across the restaurant and besides the curious stares and people taking out their phones to snap pictures, I saw three sets of eyes settle on me. I approached the table with my hand held out, and all three stood to their feet.
“Please forgive my tardiness,” I said, shaking my father’s hand. He pulled me in for a hug.
“I’m glad to see that you’re okay, son.” He gave me a hard slap on the back. “This here is Charles Murdock, owner and CEO of Summer Rain Industries.”
I shook Mr. Murdock’s hand as recognition of his company played like a slideshow in my mind.
“Excuse me for my tardiness,” I said.
“Things happen sometimes. How are you, son?”
“I’ve been better.”
“Your father tells us you had a summer cold. Those are always nasty,” Mr. Murdock quipped.
“Tell me about it. It seems to be clearing up now.”
Mr. Murdock turned to the woman at his side. “This here is my daughter, Tina Murdock.”
“How do you do?” Tina said, offering her hand in a shake. I accepted her greeting.
“Better,” I said. “How about yourself, Ms. Murdock?”
“I’m well.”
“Tina will be owner and CEO of Summer Rain within the next year or so,” Mr. Murdock said. “She’s here today so we can all get to know one another. I hope you don’t mind.”
I took a moment to glance from my father to Mr. Murdock and wondered if I were being set up. Tina’s demeanor along with her ponytail, black-rimmed prescription glasses, and super lean figure had me picturing a twenty-year-old girl who wanted more so to be a trophy wife than be at the head of the business table. But I’d give her the benefit of the doubt.
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