“It’s through there.” He nodded to the wall to the right of the bed. Puzzled, she walked around the bed to the wall and looked over to him. As she approached, the door slid open.
“It is accessibility friendly. I am getting all Creative Chaos outfitted like this. You don’t think about it when it doesn’t affect you. I was grateful when I didn’t have to fumble with a doorknob while using my crutches.” She nodded at him because neither had it ever occurred to her. “You’re right. That would be fantastic if you did that.”
“No if. I’m doing it. I told Ghadi and Flower to make it happen before I got back. I also wrote a memo across Creative Chaos about the plans in the future with our disabled colleagues in mind. I told Sadiq and Hasan they also needed to make accessibility changes on the set.” She watched as he lay back, resting on the now smushed pillows behind him as she went into the bathroom. It was wall to wall white marble with thin pink veins swirling throughout. There was a wall shower with all marble and a rimless clawfoot tub that was big enough for three grown men to sit in.
After retrieving the various mineral bath products, Grace’d left she ran the water and poured the one that smelled best to her in the water and swished it around until it dissolved. She put towels on the warmer, then walked back into the bedroom.
“Why didn’t you take the muscle relaxers?” She asked, looking at the nearly full bottle beside the bed.
“I like to keep my body free of intoxicants and I don’t like how they make me feel. I also have to make three more songs for the movie.” She looked over at him and he responded with a quirk of an eyebrow.
“Do you need your crutches?” She watched as he eased himself to the edge of the bed completely naked mind you, his dick just hanging long and semi-hard beckoning for a kiss or cuddle. She tore her eyes away. She did not need that kind of aggravation or temptation in her life right now.
“Nah, I can just hang on you for a little bit.” He beckoned her closer.
“FADE, dude, you’re like huge. I won’t be able to keep us from falling.” She moved back and grabbed his crutches from the wall beside the bed, holding them out to him.
He dropped his hand, his eyes tinged with disappointment, and took them from her. He heaved himself up on the crutches as she backed up, giving him room. She stayed by his side as he made his way to the bathroom. He was right about the convenience and necessity of the automatic door. She couldn’t imagine how he’d made it those first days and maintained his dignity when he needed privacy.
“You’re right about the doors. I’m proud of you for doing that for your people at Creative Chaos.” Her words dried up as his eyes slid over to her as he moved to the door. She didn’t know what that look meant.
“I hate these things. I overdid it today working with Marchellis and I’m playing for it now.” He sighed, stepping over the tub’s rim as she held the crutch he used for support. He hissed as he stepped in. “Damn girl, you’ve got this water hot as hell. You’re trying to kill all my babies,” his chuckle mixed with a groan as he slid down into the water. The fragrance wafted up with the smell of citrus and bergamot. Steam rose from the water, which was just cloudy enough so she could only see the barest hint of his body below the waist.
“I guess you prefer them swallowed,” she quipped.
His stone-face countenance broke into a thousand bits as he threw his head back and laughed until he had to wipe tears away.
His head fell back as she pulled the sleeves up her arms. She reached into the warm water, taking the knotted muscled and massaged him. She saw the pain painted across his face and her heart broke bit by bit. She let her touch tell the story of her sorrow. In that moment she didn’t care if he ever forgave her only that she could give him some type of comfort.
“I’m sorry for mistreating you.” She knew it needed to be said. She’d wrong him and they both knew it.
He just watched her. The silence was like a tomb. She turned away, concentrating on loosening the muscle. They seemed determined to remain bunched, as stubborn as she and the man she was helping. She pressed deep into the muscle like she’d seen her mother do countless times when her dad had come from an interminable night of replacing power lines after tornadoes. Press for ten second then relax and massage until the tissue was once again pliable.
She let her gaze travel up his body. He’d gained some of his weight back, but he was not back at his full weight and probably not his strength yet. Try to tell her body that, though. Because it wanted to be strung-out on him. The only reason they’d not gone any further that night in the hospital was because he’d stop them. He could have played her like he did the piano or the soundboard in the studio. She was powerless to deny him and not knowing what lay ahead, she couldn’t put herself out there. He’d say she was running, but she was trying to save what little she had left.
“Does that feel better?” She saw he’d totally relaxed against the tub.
“So much better,” he murmured, his amber gaze settling on her. Her breath shunted. Heat bloomed in her heart. The coldness was gone. He looked wary. As if she would cause him further harm. She the writer didn’t have the words now. What words could she say at this point? She wasn’t worthy to utter them. She almost caused him to die. That he’d even see her was a testament to his love for Justice. His loyalty knew no bounds.
“I can see it in your eyes, Didi.”
Her heart skipped.
“What?” Her eyes darted away then back. She tried to hold them there but failed and pushed back to stand and get him a towel.
He stood and stepped out, bearing most of his weight on his uninjured leg and propped-up by the crutch.
She busied herself drying him, hoping he’d go back to silent mode. She tossed that towel aside and wrapped another around his waist. She got mango butter and rubbed it over his chest, then back, leg, and buttocks. She held it out to him. “You can finish.” She rubbed over his arms and shoulders. As she came up to his neck she froze catching the heated glare of his beautiful gaze.
“You’re still running.”
“You said I could come and apologize.” She handed him the other crutch and followed him back to the bedroom. She rushed past him and went over to the side he’d been on and switch out the pillows with those on the opposite side and fluffed them.
“Consider all of this your apology. I appreciate it.” He tossed the towel and got in the bed. She could see his exhaustion pouring from every part of him.
“Um, okay.” She rolled her sleeves down and tucked the cover around him. Casting around for words… anything. “I’m still sorry for putting you in danger,” her voice broke. She broke. She bit her lip til she tasted blood.
He sat back up and grabbed her arm.
“Stay.”
She nodded and hurried around to the other side of the bed and climbed in.
“Lights.” He called out into the room and they instantly dimmed blanketing the room in darkness save for the city lights.
“Are you going to call shades or something? Because that bright light is going to trigger my migraine in the morning.”
“They automatically darken when the sun comes up. Come here,” he grumbled.
She scooted over and tucked herself beneath his chin. Suddenly tiredness swamped her. She’d been writing all day on another project now that she was done with the Just Forever screenplay and only had a consulting role on the film now. They’d contact her if a scene wasn’t working, but that was unlikely. She’d been told the script had been green-lit, but she’d been left wondering what was happening. Lovie-Belle had told her it was business as usual but she’d hadn’t had the final say and Delightful refused to get her hopes up until FADE spoke about it tonight.
“What changed your mind?” She lifted her head to look at him. He’d been staring at the ceiling.
“Who says I changed it?” He cut his eyes toward her then sighed so deep she felt it. “Sadiq demanded we move ahead because of all the work Lovie-Belle has put into it. I
t seems she’s made quite an impression on the Al Rasheed brothers and their team.”
“So this is still about your promise to Justice,” she mused, cupping her chin in her hand.
“Is that what you think?” His look turned intent again. “That I did for Justice?”
“I don’t know you tell me.”
“I stopped answering to people a long time ago. I run a corporation, little girl. I am a business. The business calls for me to put aside my feelings to save my brand. The movie is the sound way to go,” he spoke with hard conviction. He was doing for his brand. He was reclaiming his name.
“Well, that makes sense.” She was glad he’d released himself from his obligation to Justice. She wouldn’t want him to make a decision that could be ruinous just based on what he felt would help her.
The silence stretched. She felt the heaviness of sleep pressing down on her. Her eyes were drifting when she thought she her him whisper, “I did it for you.”
Chapter 14
Just a Little Bit More
He felt the softness of her body pressed against his and buried his nose in her curls. She’d not come to stay and had not thought to cover her hair. She was going to regret that and probably be mad as all get out, but he was in heaven breathing in the intoxicating smell of her curls. She was delectable. He couldn’t stop the groan that rumbled through him. His body knew what he needed. Her. Delightful Howard was right here in his bed where she’d belonged after twelve years of running from him like she was a gazelle and he a lion on the plains of the Serengeti. She was here, all softness and curves. That thought made his heart do all kinds of crazy things. There wasn’t a man alive who would not taste her. And he like the lion wanted to feast on her. Everything fell away.
“Didi,” He whispered pulling her closer. Her body was flush with his. He kissed her curls, snuggling deeper in to the crush of softness.
“Hm?” Her voice was rough silk in the morning. She pushed back against him. “You’re so warm,” she sighed, digging deeper into the pillow.
“I need you.” His arms tightened around her but other than that he held back. He wouldn’t push her. She shifted around until she was facing him. He looked down into her sleep drenched eyes. “So fucking beautiful.” He watched the sleepy smile spread across her race. A familiar emotion bloomed in his heart. It had always been there. He’d never spoken it aloud and probably wouldn’t today, but his heart acknowledge it as it had all those years ago. There would never be another.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She winked up at him and leaned in and kissed his neck. She sucked in the skin at the base and he felt himself lengthen.
She eased him back and climb atop straddling him placing light kisses around his neck until she moved up and slipped his earlobe in her mouth lightly sucking it adding a naughty nibble. That’s when his dick jumped. She giggled moving to his lips. He opened for her completely at ease with her taking charge. Everything about her was soft, plush and hot. He could feel her heated center pressing against his belly. He ached for her to move lower yet let her take the lead. Her plump lips pressed in, teasing his tongue then taking him deep, mimicking the head she gave so well. He wanted to push her down on his dick so badly instead he breathed deep trying to calm himself.
She immediately rewarded him, repositioning until she settled on him fully with only the thin layer of her pajamas separating them. He could rip them and have her taking his dick in a second, he mused as the kiss deepened, their tongues mingling, sliding, him taking her and she taking him in return. A sensual heat rose between them. She moved her heated core against him. He could feel the stiffened peaks of her nipples rubbing against his chest, teasing him. Taunting.
“I’m at a disadvantage,” he whispered. Lifting to suck a protruding bud into his mouth. She flexed her hips, pushing herself along the ridge of his dick with an excruciating grind.
“Damn, Didi,” he growled pulling back and switched to the other side to suck the other nipple into his mouth. Again she flexed, and he welcomed her delicious punishment and even became a willing participant arching his hips to meet her.
“How are you at a disadvantage?” She tilted her head like she didn’t know exactly what she was doing to him.
“I’m naked and you have all your clothes on.” The sway of her other breast distracted him. He smooth the material up her sides and over her head. She lifted her arms to help him. He tossed the top away and went back to the view of smooth brown skin before him. Her breast beckoned him. He pushed the mounds together.
“Lean down.”
He captured both tips in his mouth. He felt her drenching him as he took her in long pulls. She created a rhythm all her own. The snap and swirl of her hips were going to be his undoing.
“Take those pants off,” he commanded, urging them down her hips.
She hurried to comply, moving off him. His eyes rounded when she stood over him. His dick rose and slapped against his belly, bouncing up in anticipation.
“Where are your condoms?” He leaned over and reached into the drawer, his eyes never leaving the image she presented as she stood atop his bed with her legs spread just enough to show how much she wanted him.
He tore open the wrapper with his teeth then grabbed the root pumping up then smoothed the condom down from tip to base. She stepped over him. He’d experienced a lot of positions, but the sight of her slowly descending into a split would always top the list. His breath seized in his chest, “My God.” She was hot. Her pussy looked succulent and was open to receive him. He wanted her skin to skin. He closed his eyes against her slowly taking him. He gripped her waist and surged, meeting her. Her grip, the way her muscled flexed around his dick made his toes curl. He was so close to coming he had to grit his teeth. “Your pussy is going to kill me. Damn. Are you all right? You’re so fucking tight, Didi.” Was he rambling? He couldn’t think straight. His muscles tightened, and he had to rein himself in. She was the stuff dreams were made of and she was his.
“I’m good. You did a superb job getting me ready for this gigantic dick.” Then she leaned forward, gripping his chest for balance, and kept descending until their bodies were flush chest to breast. The fit was perfect. From the moment they danced, he knew they’d be together like this. She rubbed her body along his, her hips rising and falling causing a sensual heat and an ached that his body had no choice but to chase. He met her thrust for thrust. Bodies slick.
“I want to see you taking my dick.”
She rose, bringing her feet up to either side and braced her hands on his thighs.
“Ride me, Didi. Fuck me.” He knew he sounded like he was pleading, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He needed her, had wanted her through his anger and his pain of recovery.
She took command. She was a goddess riding him like Queen Nzinga going into battle, her undulations slow then picking up speed driving him crazy, taking him to the brink. Over and over she took him. The tight squeeze of her pussy like a punishing kiss, killing and giving life simultaneously. His toes curled. He reached between her legs and circled her protruding clit with his thumb, rubbing her wetness in around. Then with quick upward brushes he watched as she broke apart. Her nails digging into his thighs. She fell forward. “Your turn.” She gasped. He need no further encouragement as he held her tight and fucked deep inside her welcoming warmth. She moaned again as he grazed her G-spot. He raised knees thrusting.
“FADE,” she cried.
“I’ve got you,” he soothed her but gave her no quarter. He buried his head in the crush of curls. Holding her tight, he saw pleasure cascaded over her body. His seed erupted from his body in hot bursts.
He held her for a long time. He could feel the chill on her skin and pulled the covers over them. He could feel her heartbeat slowing down, taking on a less erratic beat. Her breathing deepened. He looked down, watching as she slept. Part of him couldn’t believe he was here holding her. A strange elation crept into his heart. He called himself ten times a fool.
A chump. He was holding her, had made love to her. Gave her his body and took hers and if she offered him more he’d lap it up.
He’d guided his life on what Justice would do in so many instances. He knew Justice would have without a doubt have told his parents the truth just as Delightful had. He never would have allowed FADE’s parents to languish in ignorance. His own mother had told him as much.
His sigh caused her to shift.
“Mmm,” she moaned and her muscles clinched around his still sheathed dick. He eased her off him and discarded the condom.
He grabbed his crutches and headed to the bathroom. He looked at the mirror and cringed. He still wasn’t quite up to his full weight. He resolved to work out harder and increase his calorie intake. He needed to get back to New York. The doctor had told him was almost ready to release him from his care and that could happen at his next appointment which was a week away. Then he’d be back in the game. The studio had set up interviews in print, online and especially on Black radio. There would be no type of comeback until he sat down with the judge and juries of hip hop. They were the most influential when it came to the careers of any rap star. They put you on and took you off. If you were whack you didn’t get played. And no one’s brand was whacker than his at the moment. Getting shot and surviving the murder attempt was the only thing that saved his career. He’d have to ride that sympathy all the way to the movie premier.
He stepped into the shower and turned it on, welcoming the spray that he’d hope would wash away the hurt, anger and yes, even fear that assailed him. “Please, God.” He felt the tears burn his eyes. He let them come. He’d long ago gotten over the no crying bullshit. Smothering his feelings had almost killed him after they murdered Justice. He wouldn’t allow that darkness to claim him again. He dropped his head against the marble. He could barely breathe under the water, but here he felt safe.
“FADE.”
Rapper's Delight: The Mogul Series Book One Page 11