It Must Be Love

by Nicki Night

  “I sure do.” She wiped her mouth and put her napkin down as if she were ready for a challenge. “We used to play that with my grandma and granddad all the time. They loved that game. Still do.”

  “Well let’s see what you got.” Charles rubbed his hands back and forth. “Steph, go get the cards.”

  “Already on it!” Stephan was standing by the time his father finished his sentence.

  “Oh, Jewel never shies away from a good challenge,” Sterling said.

  Stephan returned with the cards and the games commenced.

  “Be ready,” Sterling warned Jewel. “Whether winning or losing we’re big-time trash talkers.”

  “You know I can handle it.” Jewel scooted closer to the table. “Bring it on.”

  “I really like her.” Taylor raised her hand and Jewel slapped her a high five.

  Charles shuffled the cards in his hands and peered around the table. “I hope y’all are ready for a nice whipping. Put some money on the table. Five dollars a game, winner takes all.”

  Patti put her hand on her hip from her seat. “Then get ready to lose some bank, buddy.” She dug in her pocket and slapped five dollars in the center of the table.

  “Look at her—feisty! Just the way I like ’em.” Charles wriggled his brows.

  “Yuck! Behave, parents. We have company!”

  Everyone laughed.

  Charles jested through the entire first game but Jewel won. She slapped her winning pair down and held her hands up in victory. Charles leaned back holding his stomach, which quaked with his belly laugh.

  “Oh, that’s how you’re going to treat us,” Stephan said laughing so hard he could hardly get the words out. “You just met us. We can’t catch a break?”

  “She’s a lucky girl and I’m not saying that because she managed to snag me,” Sterling joked.

  Jewel winked and smiled. They sat enjoying the game and each other’s company until sundown. Even Kylee got in on the fun, sitting on Taylor’s lap plucking cards on her behalf. When the sun had finally made its spectacular exit, Sterling stood to his feet indicating that it was time to go. Sterling helped clean up outside while the ladies carried leftovers inside.

  Sterling went in to place the unopened beers in the refrigerator and found his mother in the kitchen stacking the dishwasher.

  “That was a great dinner, Mom. Thanks so much.”

  Patti grunted as she stood holding her lower back. “See what happens when you get younger,” she teased. “Ha!” Sterling chuckled and walked toward his mother. “It’s always a pleasure to cook for my family.” She stopped speaking and looked around him. No one else was inside. “I like her a lot. Nice girl. Not much like her mother it seems.”

  “You know her mother? How?” Sterling jerked his head back.

  “Met her at the event I mentioned earlier. Some of the ladies in the organization know her pretty well. I assume you have yet to meet her,” Patti guessed.

  “I haven’t been introduced yet.”

  She looked around him one last time. “Be careful, son. She’s a bit of a snoot!” Patti let out a sharp laugh. “You’d think she was born wearing diapers made out of dollar bills.”

  “Bye mom.” Sterling kissed his mother’s cheek. She was still laughing.

  “Sterling. Can Kylee come home with me?” Taylor asked the second he stepped back outside.

  “Oh. Yes! Please, Daddy. Can I go home with Auntie Taylor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Yay!” Kylee jumped up and down.

  “She has a room full of clothes at my place so she won’t need anything.”

  Taylor’s idea was perfect, Sterling thought. He’d been eyeing Jewel in that romper all day imagining ways to get her out of it. He also hadn’t seen much of her during the past week so he couldn’t wait to get her alone. He was happy about how the day went. Jewel impressed his family just like he knew she would with her wit and charm. He wanted to show her how much he appreciated the woman she was and that’s exactly what he planned to do tonight.

  After helping the family clean up, they said their goodbyes. Sterling laced his fingers with Jewel’s and rode home holding her hand. Once they arrived at her house, he walked her in, closing the door behind him with his foot.

  “You looked beautiful today. I couldn’t wait to get you alone,” Sterling spoke close to her lips, kissing them between his words.

  “Oh yeah. Well, what did you have planned?”

  “A late night snack.” Sterling picked Jewel up and carried her up to the bedroom.

  Gently he laid her on the bed, kissed her face repeatedly and covered her mouth with his. She undressed him as much as she could while their lips remained connected. They parted, continued to peel each other’s clothes off, flinging garments across the room. Sterling tasted every part of her smoldering skin before burring his face between her thighs. As the temperature in the room rose, so did his tempo. Hunger compelled them to move with more urgency each moment. Sterling licked her into a powerful, explosive place. Jewel thrashed around the bed, grasping at handfuls of sheets and panting his name.

  Hearing Jewel call him over and over made his core tighten. His erection was like stone. Sheathing himself, he skillfully filled her to the core—her moist walls still clenched from her climax. The suctioning made Sterling’s eyes roll back. Intense pleasure threatened to prematurely take him over the edge. Sterling had to gather his strength to steady his stride. Pleasing her was the most important thing. His satisfaction was directly linked to her joy.

  Sterling found his rhythm. Their bodies collided in a perfect syncopation. Feeling himself in the brink of control, he pulled out, sat up and lowered her onto him. In that small amount of time, he regained his composure. Jewel’s body started to shake. The shudder started at her center and mushroomed to every part of her. Sterling caught the extreme wave of pleasure like it was contagious. A powerful surge of heat coursed through him. Control completely evaded his grasp. Still shuddering, Jewel wrapped her arms round him, squeezing as she chanted his name breathlessly. They pounded against each other until Sterling’s entire body grew rigid and his climax thundered through him. His groans were guttural. His core clenched in hard waves. In each other’s arms, they reached their highest peak and collapsed against each other. Their hearts beat in rapid succession. Lying back on the bed, they stayed folded into each other until drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

  Chapter 25

  Jewel was sure about Sterling but not so sure about him meeting her family. The idea of her mother asking Sterling questions about his pedigree riled her. She finally accepted the fact that matching upbringings didn’t matter all that much. Mostly, she wondered what her father would say. She didn’t want Bobby Dale thinking they had been anything but professional while Sterling’s company was doing work at Chandler Food Corp.

  Jewel had put this off long enough. So much so that Sterling began to question her about it. “My family is a bit complicated,” is what she said. The preparation and timing had to be right. With Chloe’s wedding coming in a few short weeks, she couldn’t afford to wait much longer. Sterling’s flight and their hotel room were already booked.

  To Sterling’s obvious surprise, she insisted he bring Kylee with him to dinner. She thought it best to get everything out at once. When she made the suggestion, he asked her several times if she was sure. She’d fallen for Kylee and figured if she accepted her then her family would have to as well. After meeting Kylee they would also be smitten by her mess of curls, curious conversation and precocious charm.

  Jewel stopped pacing the floor in her kitchen and laughed. As outspoken as she was, she couldn’t believe how this was affecting her. What happened to the rebel?

  The bell rang. She inhaled and let the air out in a rush.

  “Coming.”

  Sterling was at the door with Kylee. As usua
l, she leaped into Jewel’s arms, but wiggled out quickly and bounced on her little toes.

  Sterling gave Jewel a peck on the cheek, pointed to his jittery daughter and mouthed, “Bathroom.” He ushered Kylee in the direction of the powder room.

  Something swelled in Jewel’s chest every time Kylee jumped into her arms. It reminded her of the Grinch’s growing heart. The love that little girl lavished on Jewel from the moment she met her opened Jewel’s mind and her perspective. The nightmares she’d heard about dating and marrying men with families didn’t seem to hold true with Sterling.

  Jewel had to admit that before Kylee even entered the picture, Sterling had her smitten. Yes, he was ultra-easy on the eyes, but it was the man inside the gorgeous casing that reeled Jewel in—his mind, his heart, his uncanny ability to please her beyond anything she’d ever experienced. Enjoying his company, having a blast in his presence and feeling like the most important priority in the world were all things that Jewel hadn’t expected. No man had ever appealed to all of her sensibilities like Sterling had. His schooling and so many other things no longer mattered. What a tricky dare! The only one who seemed to have been fooled in the end was her. Yet she ended up with the prize.

  “Ready,” Sterling said, coming from the bathroom.

  “I hope you’re ready for El.”

  “I can handle it.”

  Jewel looked at him as if she wasn’t so sure. “Let’s do this.”

  Trepidation thumped in Jewel’s chest during the entire ride. When they arrived at her parents’ estate, she was happy to see that her siblings had already arrived. They’d all spoken earlier that day and agreed to buffer the situation in any way possible. El was much harder on her girls than her son and had fallen in love with Serenity, Chris’s girlfriend, from the moment she met her. But for Chloe, Jade and Jewel any man less than what El deemed as perfect was a problem.

  She came around with Donovan, but he had the right background and wealthy upbringing. Each of them managed to keep most of their dates clear of El. Jade had yet to bring someone home at all. Now it was Jewel’s turn. Jewel sucked her teeth, shunning her mother’s potential behavior. She hadn’t realized how audible it was until Sterling asked if she was okay.

  “I’m fine,” she told him.

  Jewel took her time getting out of the car. The rebel in her awakened. El, this is what I want so you’re going to have to deal with it. Jewel only hoped that firmness accompanied her inside the house.

  Chloe opened the door for them.

  “Hi, Sterling. It’s so nice to see you.” Chloe embraced him. “And who is this little rock star?” Chloe spoke of Kylee but looked at Jewel.

  “That’s Kylee.” Jewel looked directly back at Chloe. She knew Kylee’s presence would startle everyone.

  “Kylee, this is my big sister, Ms. Chloe.”

  “Hi Ms. Chloe. You’re pretty just like Ms. Jewel.”

  “Aw!” Chloe’s hand went to her heart. “Thank you, sweetie.”

  Jewel’s next stare told Chloe “I know what I’m doing.” Chloe pursed her lips and raised her brows.

  Jade and Christian greeted them as they made their way to the family room. “Hey, Sterling. What’s up, man?” Chris offered a firm handshake.

  “Not much. How’s it going?” Sterling ended the shake and patted Chris’s arm.

  “Nice to see you.” Jade offered her hand. “And who’s this little cutie?” Like Chloe, Jade turned to Jewel for an unspoken answer.

  Jewel gave her the same firm expression, which defied the sweetness in her voice when she said, “This cutie’s name is Kylee. She’s Sterling’s precious daughter. Kylee, this is my other sister. Her name is Jade.”

  “Well aren’t you just adorable.” Jade bent forward addressing Kylee face-to-face.

  “Thank you, Ms. Jade. You’re pretty, too, just like your sisters.”

  “Aw!” Jade pouted, responding just like Chloe had. “I like her already. Would you like some juice, sweetie?” Kylee nodded. “Come with me. Your dress is so pretty.” Jade’s voice trailed off as she walked away with Kylee.

  Chloe turned to Jewel with a serious expression. “Mom’s in the dining room picking over the table setting.”

  “It’s go time!” Jewel said, taking Sterling’s hand and leading him to where her mother was. “Mom. Dad. We’re here.”

  “I’m in here, honey.”

  Jewel followed El’s voice. “Dad. Where are you?”

  “Coming, sweetie.”

  They all converged in the dining room. El hugged Jewel and lifted her chin in Sterling’s direction.

  “This is my friend Sterling Bishop,” Jewel said, hoping Sterling wouldn’t be upset with her referring to him as her friend.

  El offered him a cool “Hello.”

  “Hey, Sterling! How have you been, young man?”

  “Doing well, Mr. Chandler. It’s a pleasure to be in your home. How are things with you, sir?”

  “Well you know—a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Come on in the other room with me.”

  Sterling followed Bobby Dale. His welcome made Jewel smile. When she turned back to El, her smile fell.

  “Tell me about this young man. Where is he from? Who is his family?”

  Before Jewel could begin to respond Kylee burst into a fit of giggles. The sound cut through the tension in the room. Jewel couldn’t help her smile. Kylee’s laughter could warm an ice queen’s heart. Jade’s laughter lifted and joined in with Kylee’s. El and Jewel headed to the kitchen to see what was happening.

  In the kitchen, Jade and Kylee were bent over. Jade held her side. Kylee’s eyes were almost shut from laughing so hard. Jade gathered herself and pointed at Kylee. “This kid does the best impressions.”

  El moved Jewel out of the way and slowly walked toward Kylee, looking at her as if she were trying to figure out how she materialized. She looked back at Jewel. “Who is this child?”

  Jewel stood erect, lifted her chin, walked over to Kylee and gently placed a hand on her upper back. Kylee stopped laughing abruptly. Her large eyes moved back and forth between El and Jewel and then landed on Jewel with a look of worry. Jade placed her hand over Kylee’s.

  “This little sweetheart is Sterling’s daughter. Kylee, this is my mommy Mrs. Elnora Chandler.”

  “Oh.” El didn’t crack a smile nor did her face soften. “Hello.” The greeting was as devoid of warmth as the one El doled out to the girl’s father.

  After a few awkward seconds, Kylee spoke. “Hi Mrs. El...nora.”

  Chloe cleared her throat. “Why don’t we go into the great room?”

  “No.” Everyone’s head snapped in El’s direction. “Dinner is ready. We can go into the dining room.” She spun around and called for Leah, their housekeeper. “We’re ready now.”

  “Hi ladies.” Leah seemed to come from nowhere. She waved at Jewel and Kylee. “Yes, ma’am.” She nodded at El and disappeared as quickly as she appeared.

  The family gathered around the massive dining table. After a brief grace, silence took over as plates were filled. There was an air of apprehension. No one seemed to want to start a conversation. The only sounds in the room were forks clanging against plates and glasses connecting with coasters. Even the sound of cutting meat could be heard because it was so quiet.

  “That was a great job you did for us at the office, Sterling.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Chandler. It was a pleasure working with your staff.”

  “Alex was great! He was thorough and explained everything to us.” Jewel added.

  “I’ll call you when it’s time to upgrade our systems over at our restaurant,” Bobby Dale offered.

  “Sounds good. We’ll be sure to take care of you, sir.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  “So. Sterling... How’s business been going? Seems your comp
any continues to grow pretty fast,” Chris asked.

  “It’s great, actually. We just made the top ten list of emerging companies on Long Island. After the article, the phones started ringing off the hook. I can’t complain. It’s a great problem to have.” Sterling cut a piece of filet mignon and placed it in his mouth. “This is delicious, Mrs. Chandler.”

  “Thank you.”

  Quiet settled around El’s short response. Until then El eyed Sterling and Kylee curiously, not adding much to the conversation going around the table.

  “Sterling.” She called his name and everyone at the table looked up as if she called them.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Where is your family from?”

  “Freeport.”

  “Oh!” El looked taken aback and glanced at Jewel. “I don’t think I know any Bishops. And how old is this precious little girl?”

  “I’m six!” Kylee said proudly.

  “Yes. She’s six.”

  “Oh. And do I understand correctly that you attended school with my children?”

  “Yes.”

  El tilted her head. Jewel held her breath and was pretty sure her siblings were doing the same. “What’s the professions of your parents?”

  “They’re retired now and pretty hard to keep up with. My mother was a claims agent for an insurance company and my father worked for the utility company.”

  “And they sent you to Oxford?” El jerked her head back. She seemed genuinely confused.

  Jewel didn’t stop the line of questioning for two reasons. One it would prove futile and two, she was certain that Sterling could handle himself. He didn’t seem bothered one bit.

  “Yes. Both my siblings and me.”

  “Oh.” El looked more confused.

  Jewel could see the wheels churning in El’s mind, wondering how average working parents on the South Shore managed to send three kids to one of the most expensive and prestigious prep schools on Long Island. Remaining quiet, Jewel waited for what she knew was coming.

  “Did you all receive a scholarship?”

  “In fact we did. The school wanted me because of my athleticism and grades and offered to take the three of us. We were all members of the honor society and pretty keen at sports and music.”