She knew that Jerome had figured out exactly who Claude was, if by nothing else than the look of sheer discomfort on her face. They stood in silence—Ashley and Nelson, she and Jerome . . . and Claude. Erica knew she should probably make the introduction, but she didn’t feel that Claude warranted the energy and certainly not the courtesy. She was pissed that he’d even shown up at the event. And the fact that he’d approached her, especially when it was obvious that she was there with someone, made her question his motives even more than she already had.
As if reading her mind, Claude focused solely on her, completely ignoring Jerome. His face brightened into a warm smile. “Erica,” he said, “it’s great to see you again, and so soon.”
Erica gave him a tentative half nod and an even smaller whisper of a smile. If Claude was disappointed in her less-than-enthused reception, neither his eyes nor his demeanor gave any hints. He proceeded to greet Ashley and then Nelson, chatting it up as though he was part of their group. The entire time he spoke, he never acknowledged Jerome’s presence. Erica could feel the tension slowly building as Jerome’s eyes volleyed back and forth between her and her ex.
“Nelson, my man,” Claude said, showing off his Hollywood smile. “I’m going to get in touch with your people next week to coordinate a fund-raiser on behalf of my firm, as well as a private event that I’ll personally host at my home. I’m going to bundle quite a bit for you.”
Claude’s boastfulness made Erica want to roll her eyes. His “bundle” comment was meant to reference the fact that because he was so well connected, he had the clout to gather large contributions from individuals and organizations on Nelson’s behalf and then present what would no doubt be a hefty sum for Nelson’s war chest. Erica didn’t want the taint of Claude’s paws anywhere near her brother’s campaign, but she understood that Nelson needed every penny he could raise in order to wage an effective fight against the incumbent he was trying to unseat.
Nelson smiled and looked Claude directly in his eyes as he responded. “Thank you for your offer, but we’ve got a number of people working on various fund-raising strategies for the campaign. If we need your help, which, again, I appreciate you offering, we’ll be in touch.” He nodded. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to say good-bye to a few guests.”
And just like that, Nelson shut Claude down. Ashley smiled so hard, her eyes turned into slits. Erica hoped her brother’s rebuff would send Claude back to the cave where he belonged, but instead, he directed his attention to Jerome.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Claude said, his smile fading to an acerbic stare.
At that moment, Erica wished she could bore a hole into the floor and jump into it. She knew that Claude was a high-minded asshole, but she also knew that Jerome came from the streets, and street folks and high-minded assholes weren’t a good mix. She took a deep breath and prayed that hotel security wouldn’t have to be called in.
“No, we haven’t,” Jerome said. His voice was deep, cool, and confident.
Neither man took his eyes off the other, and it was almost as if they were staring each other down for a duel.
“Claude Daniel Richardson, the fourth,” Claude said, never extending his hand or giving a nod or a smile.
No, he didn’t just throw out “the fourth”! Erica silently fumed. Claude reserved that suffix for occasions when he wanted to impress, letting people know that he was one of the four generations of prestigious Richardson men, well known among the East Coast Talented Tenth community for their small fortune made as African American industrialists. Erica used to cringe when he did that while they dated, and now, looking at him, she thought he seemed utterly ridiculous in his need to show off his standing.
“Jerome Kimbrough,” Jerome said, his reply void of customary pleasantries. “I’m Erica’s boyfriend.”
Erica nearly swallowed her tongue. She looked at Jerome with a startled expression. She knew they’d talked about building a future, and that they wanted something serious. But hearing him claim her in that way was both surprising and exhilarating, and it lodged a feeling deep in her throat and made her stomach tingle with butterflies.
Claude wrinkled his forehead. “Funny, Erica never mentioned you when we spoke the other night.”
“You disrespectful bastard!” Ashley hissed. “Why’re you tryin’ to start shit?”
Jerome calmly smiled and held a hand up in Ashley’s direction. “Don’t worry. I got this.” He paused, then glared coolly at Claude as he spoke. “This is a nice event celebrating a great moment for Erica’s brother and their family, so let’s not turn it into anything other than that. I know what’s up, so don’t try to play me, and don’t let my woman’s name come out your mouth in front of me again.”
Claude balked. “Is that a threat?”
“Yes, it is.”
Jerome’s simple three-word answer made Erica’s heart jump with fear. Even Ashley looked as though she was a bit apprehensive about what might go down. Erica felt she should say something. After all, she’d been standing there silently, not saying a word, since Claude had first appeared. But her voice had gone missing, and she couldn’t find it under the building tension.
“Sorry about the interruption,” Nelson said, smiling cheerfully as he rejoined the group. “It’s the price you pay when you’re the host of the party.”
Erica could see that her brother had quickly surmised that something unpleasant had happened in the few moments he’d been gone. Nelson was a calm, levelheaded fellow, but when it came to his family, he was more than capable of ripping someone’s heart out to protect the people he loved. He’d learned that lesson from his father the night their home was invaded.
“Is there a problem?” Nelson asked calmly, but with serious intent, as he looked from Claude to Jerome and then to Erica.
“Everything’s cool,” Jerome offered. “Claude was just wishing us good night before he leaves.”
Claude looked at Jerome as if he could spit in his face, but instead, he extended his hand toward Nelson, bid him a good night, and walked out the ballroom door.
Jerome and Erica’s ride back to her house was just as silent and sterile as their drive two hours earlier had been. At that time it was Erica who hadn’t had the need for conversation, but now it was Jerome who preferred silence.
Erica wanted to know what he was thinking and feeling about all that had transpired tonight, especially his interaction with Claude. But she knew it was probably best to let him sort out what was on his mind and then discuss it once they got back to her house.
When they turned onto her block, Erica reached into her small rhinestone-studded clutch for her garage opener, which she’d grabbed before dashing out the door. But when Jerome parked on the street, she paused.
“You’re not going around back to the garage?”
“No, I’m parking here so I can walk you to your door and get my overnight bag that I left in your living room.”
The streetlights above cast a halo-like glow into the truck, allowing Erica to see the tense expression on Jerome’s face. “So you’re not spending the night?”
“No.”
Without warning or further words, Jerome opened his door and quickly walked around to Erica’s side to let her out. He held her hand, making sure her strappy high heels didn’t betray her as her feet hit the uneven pavement. Then they walked to her door in silence.
Once they were inside, Erica immediately started talking. “Why don’t you want to spend the night?”
“Because I’m upset, and I need to be alone.”
“Please don’t leave like this. Let’s talk about why you’re upset.”
Jerome walked over to the edge of her staircase and reached for his bag. “You know why I’m upset.”
“Okay, well, let’s talk about it.”
“I’m not in a talking mood, so I’m gonna leave while I still have my temper intact.”
Erica trailed behind him as he turned and walked back toward the door. He was abo
ut to put his hand on the doorknob when she stepped in front of him, bringing his movements to a stop. “Don’t go. We need to talk about this.”
Jerome stepped back and looked at her. “Listen, I really think it’s best that I leave. That way I won’t say anything that I’ll regret later.”
“I want you to say what’s on your mind now. Let me know what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling.”
He took a deep breath and shook his head. “I’m thinking this is bullshit, and I’m feeling like I’ve been played. You couldn’t even introduce me, Erica.”
Erica’s forehead wrinkled. She knew she should have found her voice to say something to Claude, instead of standing there with no words. But she hadn’t wanted to give Claude the satisfaction of an acknowledgment, and then she’d been struck silent by Jerome’s public declaration that she was his girlfriend, which had caused feelings she was still processing. “I think you’re blowing this way out of proportion. I don’t want Claude. I want you.”
“Then why didn’t you open your mouth and say something? Your brother shut that fool down and wouldn’t even accept his damn money. Even your girl Ashley spoke up and had my back and was about to cuss that clown out. But you, you just stood there like a spectator.”
Erica folded her arms. “So what was I supposed to do? Get loud and act out?”
“No, you were supposed to acknowledge me. It’s about respect and looking out for each other’s emotions. I’ve made myself vulnerable with you because I felt I could trust you. I’m sayin’ and doin’ sappy shit that would get my ass beat down in the streets. But I allowed myself to go there with you because for the first time in my life . . .” Jerome paused. “You know what? This shit is for the birds. I’m out.”
Erica pressed her back against the door, looking at Jerome with pleading eyes. “You’re not leaving until we resolve this.”
“Erica, please move so I can go home.”
“No. I’m not moving until we fix this.”
“You’re acting like a spoiled-ass little rich girl who’s gonna pout till she gets her way. You conned me once today, but that shit ain’t gonna happen again.”
His harsh words stung Erica’s ears, but she wasn’t going to let them dissuade her. She loved Jerome, and the thought of him walking out made her heart ache. “I’m not conning you. This is for real. I told you this morning, you’re who I want.”
Jerome hoisted his overnight bag onto his shoulder. “After what I saw tonight, I don’t know what to believe. Now, please move out of my way.”
“We have to trust each other, Jerome.”
“Trust?” he smirked, his voice rising. “When I told you that I got you, I was telling you that I was ready to go the distance. I poured my heart out to you about my past because I wanted to start things off right between you and me. I’ve lied and schemed and hustled and whored around in the past, but I don’t want that shit anymore. I thought this was gonna be different.”
“This is different, and I’ve poured my heart out to you, too. You act like you’re the only person in this relationship who’s vulnerable and taking chances.”
“Maybe it’s not worth the risk.”
Erica’s heart pounded. “Don’t say that, and don’t let my behavior tonight ruin what we’re building. I should’ve spoken up, and I regret that I didn’t. But I’ve been honest from the start about how I feel about you and what I want, and I’m being honest now.”
Jerome looked up at the ceiling in frustration. “I’ve played this game before. I just got soft and didn’t see it coming.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talkin’ about the game you’re playin’,” he said, glaring. “With your fancy degrees, bougie family, and expensive lifestyle. You wanted to take a walk on the wild side and try something new. You let me fuck your brains out like those punk-ass dudes you deal with never could, and now that you got your rocks off and you got what you wanted from me, you ready to go back to your neat, clean life, gettin’ fuckin’ flowers from old boyfriends and shit.”
Erica’s eyes grew large with outrage. “I can’t believe you!”
“Oh, believe it!” Jerome said, his voice rising. “It’s all good when we’re tucked away in a sandwich shop or in the jury room, and especially in your bedroom. But when it’s time to bring me into your world, that’s when the shit goes south.”
“That’s ridiculous, and you know it!” Erica hissed. “If that was the case, I wouldn’t have asked you to come with me in the first place.”
“You asked me this morning, at the last minute, claiming you forgot until Ashley texted you. How you gonna forget an important event like that?”
“Because like I told you, I programmed it in on the wrong date in my calendar, and with everything I had going on last week, I barely kept up with my own schedule, let alone anyone else’s.”
“Please get out the way so I can leave,” he huffed in an angry tone.
Jerome was breathing so hard, Erica could feel the heat on her skin. The intensity in his eyes wasn’t rage, it was hurt, and it was at her hands. She’d brought emotional harm to the one man who’d made her feel safe and loved. The thought made her own baby browns fill with a swell of unexpected tears. She didn’t want to cry, and she tried her hardest to hold her tears back, but a stream sliding down her face betrayed her wishes. She wiped her cheeks with the heels of her hands, but her tears continued to flow, despite her efforts to stop them.
“Oh, so now you think cryin’ is gonna make me stay?”
Just as she couldn’t find her words earlier, they eluded her now. All she could do was look at him with the fear of losing him while she attempted to gather herself and salvage their budding relationship before it ended.
“You might as well stop looking all sad, ’cause your tears ain’t gonna work on me.”
Erica breathed deeply. “Jerome, I’m so sorry,” she managed to eek out as a lone tear fell. “I don’t know what else to say except I never meant to hurt or disrespect you. I don’t want to lose you.” She sniffled, lowering her head....
Jerome looked at her and sighed. “Don’t cry, Erica.” He let out a deep, labored breath, dropping his overnight bag to the floor. “Please don’t cry.”
Erica walked over to him, and when she did, he reached for her and pulled her into his arms, holding her close as salt water drenched the front of his cotton shirt.
“Damn it! What the hell are you doing to me?” Jerome breathed out, his words a mixture of confusion and relief.
“I’m trying to love you,” Erica said. “Just let me love you.”
She planted soft kisses on the base of his neck before searching for his lips. Once her mouth found them, she kissed him hard and deep, hungrily exploring with her agile tongue as she savored the hint of wine still lingering on his breath.
Jerome reached for the hem of her dress, sliding it up the sides of her thick thighs. He hooked his long fingers around the top of her silk thong, tugging at it. The warm feel of her soft skin caused his erection to form a tent at the crotch of his trousers. “See what you do to me,” he breathed heavily into her ear, pressing his hardness into her.
“Show me, baby.”
He grabbed her ass, held it firmly in his hands, and hoisted her into the air as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her up the stairs, taking them two at a time, then down the hall until he reached her bedroom.
Chapter 31
Erica and Jerome stood close together, removing each other’s clothes. They touched and caressed as they tossed their garments to the floor, leaving their heated bodies exposed and naked. Their need for each other was urgent and primal, and they were ready to satisfy it.
Jerome turned Erica around so that her delicate shoulders rested against his broad chest. He gently cupped her breast with one hand, massaging and tweaking her erect nipple, while his other hand explored the depths of her creamy middle. His long fingers plunged deep inside her as a pleasure-filled gasp escap
ed her lips. He kissed the side of her neck, snaking his tongue up and down her delicious-tasting skin. Then, slowly, he removed his fingers from her wetness, bringing them to his mouth so he could taste her sweet juice.
“You taste so good, baby,” he whispered.
Erica threw her head back, absorbed in the moment, flushed at his touch, while he panted hard in her ear. With slow movements, he pressed his hardness against her soft ass, enjoying its plumpness as he rotated his hips in a circular motion, making her moan and shiver all at once.
“Mmmm, yeah, baby.” Erica’s breath was like a heavy heat wave as she reached down and gently stroked the length of Jerome’s thick shaft with the palms of her hands. She quickly turned, dropped to her knees, and took him into her warm, hungry mouth. Sucking, licking, and tasting, letting his fullness fill the back of her throat.
“Yeah, baby, ooohhh.” Jerome placed his hand on the back of her head, holding on, digging his fingers into her tender scalp as her tongue teased and circled, then flicked the tip of his swollen head before she released him. She licked her lips, then hungrily engulfed him again, sucking with controlled vigor as she swirled her tongue over his hard flesh. Jerome’s pleasure was so great he let out a loud moan.
Slowly, Erica dotted kisses along his body as she made her way back up to his mouth. They devoured each other in a deep, passionate kiss. Their bodies were sleek and wet as they pressed into one another.
“I want to feel you inside me,” Erica breathed into his open mouth. “From behind.”
Jerome bent down, reached for his pants, which were lying on the floor, and removed a condom from his wallet. He nearly fell over his own feet in his rush to get Erica to the bed. He slipped the sheath over his engorged head as he watched Erica position herself, a careful balancing act as she perched on all fours. Her knees and elbows sank into the plush fabric of the duvet as he came up behind her. Gently, he held her in place with his hands on either side of her hips and entered her with one long, deep, fluid stroke.
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