Once the two men were out of earshot, both burst out laughing.
“Your grandmother is a pistol!” Matthew exclaimed.
“You don’t know the half of it! So what’s going on?”
“Natalie called and explained what was going on. She knew Stallion Enterprises has some resources here and thought we might be able to help.”
Tinjin shook his head. “Wow! And I have been such an ass toward her.”
“We all have our moments. But she loves you and even with you acting a fool she hasn’t given up on your love. Good women are like that.”
“I need to make this right.”
Matthew laughed. “I don’t think you’re going to have any problems with that. Something tells me that if it’s the last thing she does, your grandmother is going to make sure you make things right!”
Mama Dee’s grocery list was a lengthy inventory of fresh vegetables, baguettes and condiments that Tinjin had not yet bothered to purchase. As he selected tomatoes and peppers Matthew gave him a quick update.
“Before I leave I will connect you with Pierre Demy. He’s the senior solicitor in Stallion Enterprises’ European offices and he’s based here in Paris. He was instrumental in negotiating our import deal with the French Trade Commission so he has a multitude of contacts and resources at your disposal.” Matthew passed him a business card with the man’s contact information before continuing.
“Natalie said you were having difficulty finding vendors willing to supply you with material so Pierre has already taken care of that. You now have a line of credit with the top vendors worldwide that Stallion Enterprises will guaranty, so all you need to do is start ordering what you need. She also gave us the evidence that was needed to bring a lawsuit against Mr. Vivier. It’s a good thing you sign and date all your original drawings. Our legal team is going after him and Jourdan Claude hard. There might even be criminal charges brought against him. If nothing else, the publicity alone will cast some doubts on how he and they do business.” Matthew paused, taking a deep breath before speaking again.
“I’ve also got my people ensuring that your permits and your plant are ready when you are. What we can’t do, however, is give you new designs to work with. That’s on you, brother.”
Tinjin shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. You’re taking a risk.”
“We don’t think so. My brothers and I are pretty selective about where we invest our money. We have all the confidence that this will inevitably be a win-win situation on both sides. I personally reviewed the numbers on your clothing line and you’ve had some impressive growth, despite your transition and focus on women’s accessories. You’ve been smart. You built a solid management team. You managed your money wisely. There’s nothing any of us would have told you to do differently. We’re impressed and we’re excited to support men like you.”
“How do I begin to thank you?”
Matthew laughed. “You’ll get our bill. But right now you need to call that woman of yours. I’m not explaining to your grandmother why she isn’t there when dinner gets served.”
* * *
When Tinjin opened his front door to let Natalie in, it took everything in him not to drop to his knees and sob. He stepped out on the front landing, wrapping his arms around her. He pressed his face into her hair and inhaled her scent, every sweet memory flooding over him.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered into her ear, tears pressing hot against his eyelids.
Natalie clung to him for only a brief moment before pushing him away. She shook her index finger at him, her stoic expression giving him reason to pause. “I’m still mad at you,” she said as she pushed past him into the home.
Mama Dee stood in the foyer eyeing the two of them. A wide grin filled her face as she extended her arms toward the young woman. “Aren’t you just the prettiest little thing,” she crooned as she wrapped Natalie in a warm hug.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mama Dee!” Natalie intoned as she hugged the matriarch back.
Behind them Tierra waved, clapping her hands. The two women embraced, greeting each other like old friends.
“Come on in and have a seat,” Mama Dee intoned. “This boy got a pretty living room. Whole house just pretty!”
Tinjin watched as they left him standing with a foolish look on his face. Matthew shrugged, his shoulders pushing toward the ceiling. He shook his head. “Women!” he whispered under his breath as they both fell in line and followed them.
* * *
Dinner was an amalgamation of comfort foods. Mama Dee had prepared a vegetable lasagna laden with squash, carrots, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and three different cheeses. The fresh baguettes melted in their mouths and dessert was her famous strawberry shortcake made with hot, homemade biscuits, fresh-picked berries and whipped cream. Tinjin and Matthew both sat in the shadows, the women controlling the conversation as they got to know each other better.
Every so often Natalie would focus her gaze on him, staring at him intently, but not once did she utter a word to speak to him directly. Despite his best efforts to engage her in conversation she would not be budged and neither his grandmother nor his sister tried to give him a hand or plead his case. He shook his head, recognizing that he now had three women in his life who could hold a grudge with the best of them.
Matthew interrupted the reverie. “I hate to eat and run, ladies, but I need to head back to the airport. I have to be back in Dallas in the morning.”
Mama Dee nodded. “Thank you again for everything you were able to do for my grandson. I just need one more favor from you, though.”
“Anything, Mama Dee,” Matthew responded.
“If you would please drop me and Tierra off at our hotel, please. I need to get me some beauty sleep. It’s been a long day!” She tossed Tinjin a look. “We’re staying at the Hotel San Regis! Travis picked it out!”
Matthew smiled. “Not a problem, Mama Dee. It would be my pleasure.”
“I need to be leaving, too,” Natalie said, moving onto her feet.
Mama Dee laughed. “Baby, you ain’t going nowhere. You and this boy need to make you some plans, like when you gone move to Paris ’cause y’all wasting too much money flying back and forth to see each other. Tinjin’s gonna be on a tight budget until he start selling some shoes so y’all gone need to figure out how you plan to make it work. You two need to talk and make up. Tomorrow, I want to go shopping and buy me a pretty dress from Paris so I’m gone need your help!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Natalie answered, looking a touch flustered.
Tierra laughed. “You get used to it.”
Matthew nodded. “You do!”
Hugs and kisses ended the evening as everyone said their goodbyes. Matthew promised to follow up with Tinjin later in the week. As the door closed behind them, an uncomfortable quiet flooded the room. Staring him down one last time Natalie took a deep breath, then left him standing in the center of the living room as she moved into the kitchen to clear away what remained of the dishes.
* * *
An hour later Tinjin found Natalie sitting on the foot of his bed, staring out into space. He dropped down beside her, saying nothing as his broad shoulder brushed gently against hers. They both sighed at the same time.
“You really hurt my feelings,” Natalie finally said.
Tinjin nodded. “I apologize. I was wrong and I know it.”
“I would never have betrayed you like that.”
“I know. I was angry and I took it out on you. It should never have happened.”
“I really like your grandmother. She’s been very sweet to me.”
He smiled. “She likes you, too.”
Natalie nodded. “I think she should move to Paris and live here with us.”
Tinjin paused. A slow smile pulled at his full
lips. “So does that mean you’re moving here to Paris?”
“I like this place. You have good taste.”
He chuckled ever so softly. “Thank you for helping me,” he said. “I’m amazed at everything you did.”
“I told you it would work out. You should have trusted me.”
He took a deep breath. “I do trust you. I hope you know that.”
“I know that we have a lot of work to do, both personally and professionally. And I know that we can get more accomplished together than we can apart.”
“I love you, Gnat!” Tinjin said as he reached for her hand, entwining her fingers beneath his own. “I love you so much!”
Natalie’s smile was wide and bright. “Tell me something I don’t know, TJ Braddy!”
Chapter 14
Natalie’s smile widened as Tinjin stood and moved to the fireplace. Minutes later the flickering of flames dimly lit the room and the soothing crackling of firewood was all that could be heard. She stared as he made a quick exit, returning moments later with a bottle of expensive champagne and two crystal flutes.
“I’d bought this to celebrate the release of the new Tin-men designs. But I think we now have that and so much more to celebrate,” he said. He popped the cork and poured one glass and then the other.
She took a sip of the bubbly beverage as she met his gaze. “So now that we’re back in business, what’s next?”
Rising once more he moved to the worktable that sat in the corner and pulled a stack of papers into his hands. “What do you think?” he asked, sharing his latest artwork with her.
As she flipped through them Natalie’s eyes were bright as she nodded her approval. “These are amazing! They’re even better than your last collection. I love the uniqueness of the heels!”
“I think these will get us some attention. Hopefully we can go into production in the next two weeks and the rest will be history.”
“We have a lot of work to do. You have production issues to arrange. We need to schedule photo shoots, get a marketing plan in place and talk to potential buyers. We have a long to-do list.”
“So you plan to be a very hands-on partner?”
“Extremely hands-on!”
His face gleamed with joy. He leaned to kiss her mouth, allowing his lips to linger against hers. His whispered breath was hot against her skin, sending a wave of heat coursing through her body. “I like it when you say we,” Tinjin muttered against her mouth. “I really like that a lot.”
They spent the next hour talking, plans interspersed with more apology as both strived to fix what had been cracked. Tinjin knew that they were back in balance when Natalie’s wisecracks came fast and furious. Laughter returned, easing the last ounces of hurt away.
With the bottle of champagne finished Tinjin held her, the two lying back against the mattress as they traded easy caresses, reacquainting themselves with what had been lost for what felt like forever. Natalie was putty as she melted beneath the look in Tinjin’s eyes. She was also toasty from the champagne and his stare served to heat her even more.
Tinjin eased his hand against her face, his fingertips gently caressing the line of her profile. She had to be the most beautiful woman in all the world, he mused as he stared. He kissed her again and again, painting her with damp kisses, his lips like the finest brush against her skin. Moving his mouth to hers, he danced his tongue past her lips, inside the moist cavity. She tasted sweet, her essence a permanent marker seared deep into his spirit. The kisses went on for an eternity, both savoring the sweet sensations the touch elicited from their bodies.
Natalie suddenly pulled herself from him, throwing her legs off the side of the bed. Rising she turned to face him as she slowly unbuttoned the white blouse she wore. She undid each pearl button slowly, exposing just the barest hint of brown skin little by little.
As he watched her Tinjin felt himself harden in his slacks, his manhood rising to magnanimous proportions. The bulge pressing against the fabric was taut to the point of pain, a sweet sensation that had him yearning for more. As he watched her continue her slow striptease he pulled at the belt wrapped around his waist and unzipped his pants, releasing the tightness confined inside.
Natalie smiled as her hands danced over her torso and waist. She pulled her blouse off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Beneath the cotton garment she’d donned a white lace corset that slimmed her already thin waist and accentuated the lush curve of her breasts. Loosening the snaps she threw it aside. Her firm, full breasts seemed to leap free, standing at attention. She heard Tinjin gasp as her fingers skated across one and then the other, her fingertips resting where her nipples protruded like hardened candy waiting to be tasted. She found herself captivated by the glittering stare he was giving her.
Her skirt came next as she reached behind her to lower the zipper, allowing the silk pencil skirt to puddle around her ankles. The barest hint of fabric covered the sweet spot between her legs. She bent over at the waist and peeled down her silk panties. She felt him focused on her as she pulled the waistband down her flaring hips and past her knees. She soon stood in the center of the room, blushing to the roots of her hair, stark naked except for her heels.
Tinjin reached for her and she took a quick step back, avoiding his touch. She shook her head, then pressed her palm to his chest and pushed him away. As he fell back his manhood protruded forward, rising like a phoenix to be revered. He was hard and rigid, the turgid protrusion eagerly flexing for attention.
She took him into her mouth, her tongue lashing over the cushioned head of his organ. Tinjin gasped for air, the sensation of her touch blowing his mind. He couldn’t talk, every muscle quivering for attention. She sucked him in and out past her lips, slathering him with the hot, wet moisture in her mouth. He lay back with both hands pulled over his head, savoring every sweet sensation.
As she held him in the palm of her hand Natalie felt him pulse and twitch, his desire surging. She suddenly released him, crawling up the mattress until she hovered above him. She met his gaze as he locked eyes with her, slowly lowering her body to his. The walls of her feminine spirit were tight and hot, and her inner lining pulsed and surged as she drew him deep inside.
Tinjin grabbed the bedclothes with both fists, the fabric clenched tightly between his fingers as Natalie began to ride him, up and down, round and round, over and over again. He thrust himself upward, desperate to meet her stroke for stroke, unable to contain the enthusiasm that had surged with a vengeance. With each push and pull he felt himself falling deeper into ecstasy until every nerve ending convulsed and his entire body seized.
Their loving lasted for hours, one orgasm after another flooding them both. Just when neither thought they could take any more, emotion swelled thick and full and more was all either craved. When the morning sun shimmered through the white lace curtains in Tinjin’s bedroom, it found him tasting her, nourishing himself from the fountain of her secret garden. The intimate kiss started their morning and if it were not for both of their cell phones ringing at the same time, loving each other would have lasted the entire day.
* * *
Mama Dee had dictated the balance of their afternoon, her maternal interference both a blessing and a curse. She’d been bossy, nosey and abundantly loving to them both. Tinjin nodded as his grandmother admonished him, reiterating every life lesson she’d ever taught him and Tierra.
“You do right by that little girl, you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Don’t you be shacking up like you haven’t been taught better, because you have been taught better. You love her. I could be dead and blind and still see how much you love her, so you do right!”
Tinjin tossed Natalie a quick glance. “Yes, ma’am!”
“And the two of you stop playing games with each other! I have never seen young people play games the
way y’all do. Speak your mind, always tell the truth, learn to take criticism and be nice to each other. You don’t always need to prove a point. It’s okay to be wrong sometimes.”
Tierra laughed. “Mama Dee, you sound worried!”
Their grandmother laughed. “I do sound a little anxious, don’t I?”
Both Tierra and Tinjin nodded, eyeing her warmly. Tierra turned to give her brother a hug. “Take care of yourself, please. And if you need us, call! It’s what family is for, Tinjin.”
“I will,” Tinjin exclaimed.
“I’ll make sure he does,” Natalie quipped, moving them all to laugh.
Matthew had arranged for the Stallion jet to take them home and they stood together in the private hangar at the airport, saying their goodbyes. As Tinjin watched his family board, joy and happiness shone in his eyes. He reached for Natalie’s hand and held it. She stood by his side, her own excitement melding with his and both were grateful for the moment.
* * *
Jean-Paul’s fall from grace came with little media attention. He took a plea deal for the criminal charges levied against him, and his ties to Jourdan Claude were terminated abruptly. The civil suit was settled quietly, both sides signing confidentiality agreements about the settlement. All anyone knew was that weeks later Tinjin Braddy had no problems settling every one of his debts. News of Jean-Paul’s demise barely garnered two lines in the European papers and the last anyone heard he’d gone to Switzerland to lick his wounds.
Tin-men Designs was growing by leaps and bounds, much attention given to the new designer and his brand. The digital magazine Pretty, Pretty featured his story on its first cover, the article spinning Tinjin Braddy to a new level of popularity. When Natalie Stallion landed the cover of Vogue magazine wearing Tin-men, the notoriety of the brand was suddenly synonymous with those popular red-bottomed heels. Billed as a necessary staple for women with discerning taste, Tinjin’s shoes were soon being photographed on the feet of every industry A-lister on multiple continents.
My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) Page 15