by Iris Bolling
A glorious smile appeared on his face. It was her words that put it there. “Tell me what spell you cast over me and please tell me there is an antidote.”
“I wish I could, and if there is an antidote I’ll take it first.” They stood there for another moment before he released her. “What are you doing here?” Nicole asked still holding his hand.
“Hmm, the magic is about to end.”
She stepped back. “That doesn’t sound too good.” She walked around her desk. “Please, have a seat,” she said as she sat down. “Welcome to New York.”
Xavier looked around the plush office, as she picked up the knapsack and placed it in a chair, then sat in the other facing her. “I thought we needed to talk in person. I promise you I did not come here to eat you alive.”
Nicole laughed. A deep rich laugh that came from within. “I hope you enjoyed that meal, it was delightful and you can’t know just how much I needed it.”
“Rough morning?”
“Very,” she replied. “Whatever brought you, I’m happy you are here.”
“I hope it stays that way.”
She sobered. “Doesn’t sound good. What is it?”
“We need to discuss your offer this morning.”
“What offer?”
“The recreation center.”
“Oh, yes. What about it,” she asked, a bit bewildered.
“Why did you make the offer?”
“Why?” She frowned. “It’s a wonderful project and a well written proposal. It’s just the sort of project we fund.”
“Why did you choose to finance it now?” The moment she realized the direction of his questions the brilliance in her eyes disappeared and he wished he had not voiced the thought.
His words answered her prayer to stop the flood from flowing between her legs. God works in mysterious ways. Nothing like a splash of cold water to stop a damn wet dream. No he did not just insinuate she was trying to buy his affections.
“Xavier Davenport.” Her voice was smooth and deadly. “Make no mistake about it. I am immensely attracted to you. My panties are soaked just sitting here looking at you. However, there will never be a time when I have to buy the affections of you or any other man. I sincerely hope that was not what you were eluding too, for the other thought which has crossed my mind is that you feel I need to have a man appear in my life to refute the recent news articles.” Her arms crossed over her breasts. “Frankly, either way, your visit, as joyous as the first five minutes were, is now over. You found your way in, I’m certain you can find your way out.” Nicole turned to her laptop to turn it on.
“Nicole, please listen.”
“I think not.” She stood, ran her hand down her thighs to smooth her skirt down. “I have had it with men today. A freaking pastor on whether or not I was going to try to change his policy on gay rights in the church has questioned me. I’ve read a blog that has openly discussed my sexual preference. Then a business partner who has threatened to withdraw from a multi-billion dollar project if I don’t go public with my sexuality. And now, you. The man who makes my inner lips moist on sight, has the audacity to ask if I’m trying to buy your affections by contributing to a project we picked up on months ago, before I even met your fine ass. It is just a little too much for one day.” She picked up his knapsack, threw it in his lap and pointed. “The door is that way.” She walked back around her desk, picked up a file and began reading.
Xavier stood. “Nicole, I had to ask.”
“Xavier, please, just go.” She began working on a file on her desk.
He stood there staring down at her. “We need to discuss the weekend.”
“We really don’t.” She looked up shaking her head. “I release you from any obligations for the weekend.” She looked back down at the papers.
He pulled the file from her desk. She jerked her head up. “We will have this weekend, Nicole. I flew here to ask you a question, not to accuse you of anything.” He placed the file back on her desk and turned towards the door. “Just so you know,” he said before walking out, “I have no questions about your sexuality. However, I was wondering…”
She glared at him.
“How wet are your panties?” He closed the door behind him as he walked out.
The elevator door on the thirty-fifth floor was about to close when a hand blocked it.
“Hold on,” Alicia said as she stepped in.
Xavier stood with his hands in his pockets as if he did not have a care in the world.
“Well,” she began as the door closed, “that started with such promise, but did not end the way I envisioned.”
“You always listen to what happens in your boss’ office?”
“No, however things got a little loud at the end and I couldn’t help over hearing.”
“Un huh.” He looked suspiciously.
“What time is your flight out?”
“Why?”
“I thought it would be a shame for you to have come all this way and not see New York. Is this your first time here?”
“It is.”
The elevator door opened and a tall red-head walked in. Her eyes raked over Xavier from head to toe. “Hello, Alicia.”
“Candace,” she responded.
“Candace Mercer, and you are?” Candace asked, never taking her eyes from Xavier.
“A visitor,” Alicia replied.
“Oh, I know he doesn’t work here. I know all the men in this building.”
“And she means that literally,” Alicia remarked as the elevator doors opened to the spacious lobby.
Xavier stepped out and walked towards the exit.
“Xavier,” Alicia pulled his arm. “You did not come all this way just to confront her about the offer. I know that and you do to.”
He stopped and looked down at her. “I’m not going anywhere…” He hesitated.
“Alicia,” she supplied her name.
“You're Diamond’s friend.”
“No, I’m Diamond’s soror.”
“Okay.” He smiled, “I stand corrected, her soror. She mentioned you. Look, I didn’t come here just to ask Nicole about the donation. You’re right about that. I needed to make sure I’m not a part of this game between her and Trish Hargrove.”
“Nicole doesn’t play games, especially with Trish Hargrove.” She smiled, “So you’re not leaving?”
“No.”
She grinned. “So what are you going to do about Nicole. She’s pretty pissed at you right now.”
“I’m going to check out a little of New York. Come back here around five and wait for her.”
Alicia laughed and walked towards the door. “There’s a flaw in your plan. Come take a walk with me.” They walked out of the building then turned right to join the busy pedestrians.
“So, tell me. Why is my being here so important to you?”
“Who said it’s important?” Alicia asked.
“Your actions.”
Alicia looked to the side, smiled up at Xavier then looked away as they walked down the street. “Nikki is in this mess because of me.”
“How so?”
“Well, for one, people think she is gay because she is my friend. She’s my friend because she was the one person that looked confused when I announced to all my so called friends in college that I was gay. She had no idea she was supposed shun me.” She shook her head. “Silly rabbit.”
He shrugged his shoulders as she stopped in front of a glass front building. “She wasn’t. That’s no reason to shun a person.”
Alicia chuckled and shook her head. “You are as bad as she is.” She turned to the man in the tailor made uniform. “Hello, Henry. This is Mr. Davenport. He’s a friend of Nicole’s. Would you get him settled in her place?” She turned back to Xavier. “This is Nicole’s Palace. We both live here. You can hang here until I send her home. I’ll try to get her out before your flight.”
“My flight leaves at eight fifty.”
“I know.” She grinne
d as she began walking away. She turned back, “Do me a favor?”
“What’s that?”
“Whatever happens, don’t give up on her. She is a good person who needs a good man in her life. I think that man is you.”
“You’re a good friend, Alicia.”
“I know.” She waved and walked back to the office.
Xavier turned to the man in the uniform. “Mr. Henry?” he asked.
Mr. Henry smiled and opened the door. “Yes sir. May I have your name?”
“Xavier Davenport.”
“Is this your first visit to New York?” he asked as they entered the huge marble floored lobby.
“Yes, it is.”
“Allow me to give you a tour of Nicole’s Palace.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll just wait here for her.”
Henry laughed. “The building’s name is Nicole’s Palace. Her father had it renovated a few years ago, when Ms. Nicole took over the reins at the Real Estate firm.”
Xavier took a moment to look around. He noticed the concierge’s desk with the italic N inscribed in a black emblem on the front. The two elevator doors had the same design. The marble tile also had the emblem every fifth tile. He could see his reflection in the various light tan shades of color in the tile. His eyes took in the crown molding, the floor to ceiling ancient columns, the gold and black trim, the chandelier lighting and the overall airy feel of the lobby.
“Joseph, have someone take over the door while I take Mr. Davenport up to the penthouse.” He motioned for Xavier to follow him. “Her father wanted to ensure her safety here in the big city. He wanted a place fit for the princess she is,” Henry stated as they stepped into the elevator.
Xavier did not miss the message in the statement. “She is a special woman.” He nodded his head with the acknowledgment.
“That she is. I heard Ms. Alicia say your flight leaves tonight.” He inserted a key into the elevator panel, then pushed a button, which had no floor number on it. The elevator began ascending.
“Yes, it does.”
“You have a few hours to spare before Ms. Nicole arrives. It would be an honor to have our concierge arrange for what we call a nickel tour while you wait.”
“That sounds nice, thank you, Mr. Henry.”
The doors to the elevator opened to a foyer much like the lobby downstairs. The difference being the warmth he felt the moment he stepped into the room. There was a bank of windows on the far side of the foyer, which opened into a great room. Most people would first notice the fine furniture in the room, not Xavier. His eyes went to the structure of the room, the way the windows were placed to capture the outline of the city as if it were a painting in the room.
The placement of the furniture would impress Diamond. To the right was the entrance to the kitchen, a dining room table was placed in the center of the window to the right. A sofa and chair were center wall on the left, columns lined the entrance leading to the black baby grand piano in the center of the window directly in front of him.
“Wow, this place is a palace.” Xavier turned to see Mr. Henry still standing at the elevator. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.
Henry shook his head. “We don’t accept gratuities here. We are well compensated. This is a private elevator. If you decide to go out, the guest code is located here.” Mr. Henry turned, then pointed to a panel on the wall next to the elevator. “Will you be needing anything else, sir?”
“No, thank you.” He looked around. “I think I’ll wait for Nicole.”
“As you wish, sir. Enjoy your stay.”
The elevator swooshed closed. Xavier looked around, placed his knapsack on the breakfast bar between the kitchen and the dining room. He pulled out his sketchbook, took a seat on the piano bench and began drawing.
* * *
It had been a hellish day and all Nicole wanted to do was take a shower, crawl under her blanket and cry like a baby. Not only did the meeting at Allen and Allen go against her, that rag of a blog posted another article. This time about her niece Taylor walking off of a video shoot. Now Vernon was up in arms. A nice glass of merlot would ease the pain of the disappointing day.
Nicole threw her keys on the breakfast bar, reached in the cabinet, then the wine cooler under the cabinet, poured a glass and was about to take a swallow when she noticed the knapsack on the bar. She placed the glass down and looked at the knapsack. It was the one Xavier had with him at the office. She walked out of the kitchen and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place.
She called out, “Xavier.” There was no reply. “No he is not.” She stomped down the hallway, checked her bedroom. He wasn’t there. She checked the spare room, the office and the theater room. Nothing. She walked back into the great room looked around again. The knapsack was still there, but there was no sign of Xavier. She felt a breeze and looked over at the patio door. It was cracked open. She walked over, pulled the door open and there sat Xavier.
The sun was setting casting a shadow over him. His back was to her, feet up on the railing, shoes next to his chair, his suit jacket hanging on the back and earplugs in his ears. He was drawing on a pad. From the looks of the drawings on the table he had been at it for a while. She noticed he used old-fashioned pad and paper, not a computer to design. His touch was smooth as he moved across the page. For a moment she considered getting him a glass of wine, he looked so at home. The thought made her smile until she remembered she was mad at him.
Something must have alerted him to her presence. He turned and smiled. Damn if her legs weren’t trembling. Stop it, she demanded.
He pulled the earplugs out and stood. “Good evening.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Alicia showed me where you live and Mr. Henry let me up.”
“Just like that, he just let you into my apartment?”
Xavier nodded. “I think he likes me.”
“I don’t like you very much right now. Why are you still in New York?”
He frowned. “I thought I told you why I was here. We have things to talk about.”
“We talked.”
“No. I asked a question, you yelled and asked me to leave. In my book that was not a conversation.” He looked at his watch. “My plane leaves at eight fifty. We can talk here or at the airport, Nicole, but we are going to talk.”
She turned to walk back into the penthouse. “This has not been a good day and probably is not the best time for us to talk. My emotions are high at the moment and you are not helping.”
“I’m here, Nicole.” He put his pad on the table and followed her into the kitchen as she picked up her glass of wine. “Give me five minutes and I’ll leave.”
She stared at him over the rim of her glass. He really—really looked good standing in her kitchen, with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his tie loose. Hmm, if she could have her way he would stand there all night and she would stand right where she was staring at him.
She exhaled. “You have five minutes.”
“Your announcement this morning surprised me. We had talked last night and you did not mention anything about the donation.”
“I don’t...”
He cut her off. “I only have five minutes. I need that time. My attraction to you is an issue for me. I tend to think long and hard before I become involved with someone. My mother played games with my father. The last woman I was involved with is a master at games. For my sake, I had to ask the question. You are a very wealthy woman, Nicole. That’s a concern for me. I don’t know the rules for your games. Buying your way may be the norm for you. I don’t want you to think for one moment that I can be bought. When we are together, and make no mistake about it, we will come together, it’s going to be because of this insane mutual attraction we have going on.” He stepped closer to her then gazed into her eyes. “We have a date. On Friday, I’ll pick you up at the airport at six. We are going to spend some time outdoors, so bring comfortable clothes. I’ll return you to the airport
on Sunday at six. Is that agreeable with you?”
“I don’t mix business and personal.”
He took the glass from her hand. “I’m happy to hear that.” He took her hand and pulled her to him. He could feel her heart rate increasing against his chest.
“I don’t play games, either,” she whispered close to his lips.
“Good.” His lips captured hers. The heat in the room intensified as his tongue traced her lips, his hands roamed her body and settled on her firm behind. He pulled the v of her thighs to his swelling member and plunged his tongue into the warmth of her mouth.
She moaned at the steel feel of him. Not the material of his pants, nor, that of her skirt were protection against the heat generated when their bodies touched. It was as if nothing was there. He lifted her onto the breakfast bar, pulling her to the edge. She wrapped her legs around his waist then moaned at the hardness of him between her thighs.
He broke away from her lips, pushed the blazer off her shoulders and open mouthed her nipple through her blouse. The blood rushed to her head as she leaned back, urging him to take more of her breast into his hot mouth. She squeezed her legs, grinding against him, relishing the feel of him. He pulled her blouse from her skirt, kissed her navel, then the area where her panties were wet. He inhaled. Her scent was calling him, beckoning him to taste her. He pushed the material aside and slowly licked, long and hard. “Sweet,” he moaned, as he slid her wet panties down her legs, knocking her shoes to the floor. He pulled her body back down to his now pulsating shaft, kissed between her breasts, her neck then back to her lips.
The heat was overwhelming, she wanted to feel him, his natural meat between her legs. She pulled at his belt, released the hook and unzipped his pants. Her hand wrapped around him. The heat from his skin was scorching, his penis thick, long and hard. She wanted to feel that. The alarm on his cell phone sounded. They both froze, breathing hard, unable to speak. They stared into each other’s eyes. Their passion filled the air. “I did not bring protection with me.”
She heard him, but did not have the strength to pull away. She placed him between her thighs, tightened her legs around him and began to grind slowly against his thick, long meat.