“It’s mine,” he smiled. “Come see the control room.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her forward. The enclosed area looked like every electronic gadget available to man was surrounding the steering wheel. There were two leather seats near the controls.
As they walked through, Zack told her about each room of the boat. The saloon had white leather, semi-circle seating with a glass table in the center. On another wall was a television panel, above a stereo system with surround sound. The galley had every appliance that a modern day kitchen would have including a microwave, refrigerator and breakfast bar. Walking further back, they passed a bedroom with a small shower, commode and sink; he called it the VIP room and mentioned that that’s where Xavier would sleep when he visited. Then he showed her the master cabin with a king size bed, enclosed shower and commode. Windows above the bed were covered with blinds that opened and closed automatically by a timer. When they walked back up the stairs to the top deck, she was in awe. “This is awesome. I believe this boat is larger than my apartment.”
“How would you like to go to D.C. for dinner?” He asked with a cocky grin.
“Yes,” she replied excitedly.
Pleased with her excited response, Zack began checking equipment and emergency gear to ensure their safety. They went to the nearby store and secured food for the short trip. An hour later, he unhooked the line from the cleats of the boat, then entered the control room and began pulling out of the dock. She sat beside him and marveled at the difference in him. This was his joy, being on the water made him a different man. He talked about his 62' Sea Ray 630 and the trips he had taken as he eased into the Potomac River.
The view going towards D.C. was breathtaking to say the least. You could see Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, Rosalyn, and the Lincoln Memorial. Listening to him talk and seeing the essence of the man come alive right before her eyes made Diamond fall deeper in love with him. This was the man she knew was inside of him.
As they pulled into the Washington Harbor, he docked the boat. “Where would you like to dine my lady?” he asked with a sexy smile.
“Wherever your heart desires, my Lord,” she replied as she took the hand he extended to her.
Pulling her onto the dock, he held her body close to his then gazed into her eyes. He pushed a strand of hair from her face then tucked it behind her ear. “You are a beautiful woman,” he said with so much sincerity it brought tears to her eyes.
“And you are a handsome man, but you already know that.” She placed her hand through his arm and started walking. “It’s a little early for dinner. What do you suppose we do?”
Smiling down at her as they walked he wondered when he became so touchy feely. The show of emotions came easy for her and surprisingly he liked it. “How would you like a short tour of D.C.?”
“I would love it. I’ve never been here.”
He looked at her with questioning eyes. “You live right in Virginia and you have at least two brothers that live up this way and you’ve never been to the Capitol?”
“No, I’ve been to Quantico and Fredericksburg, but not D.C.”
“Then by all means, allow me the honor.” Looking down at her he said, “We better go shopping first.”
She stopped and looked at herself. “What’s wrong with the way I look? I have on jeans just like you.”
“This is true, but to do D.C. right, you have to walk and your feet in those boots, although they look very good on you, will not survive the tour. Taxi,” he called out as a vehicle pulled over to the curb. He opened the door, the two got inside. “Georgetown,” he directed the driver.
After shopping in Georgetown where they argued over the amount of money he was spending on her, they toured the Capitol, the museums and walked to the White House. They were in a taxi on their way back to the dock when they passed a billboard advertising the Wizards. Diamonds head jerked back, looking out of the window pointing. “Hey, are the Wizards playing tonight?” she asked as excitedly as a child.
Zack looked in the direction she was pointing, “The basketball team?”
“Yes,” she grabbed his hand, “Can we go, please.”
The woman never ceased to amaze him. He knew she was beautiful, intelligent and very friendly. Everywhere they went she spoke and carried on conversations with complete strangers and to his surprise they reciprocated. Now here she was almost jumping out of her seat to get to a professional basketball game. “Take us to the stadium,” he instructed the driver. To his surprise, they spent the rest of the evening watching the game and filling themselves up on hot wings, french-fries and beer. It was well after midnight when they returned to the boat.
They sat out on the bench on the deck of the boat with a bottle of wine, smooth jazz filtering through the sound system and laughter filling the air as they talked about the evening.
“Basketball has always been X-man’s thing. But football, I’ll take you out on a football field.”
“Hold up.” Diamond sat her glass down and pointed her finger to emphasize her point. “I don’t think so my brother. You are looking at a wide receiver extraordinaire.”
Zack sat up and got in her face. “You have lost your mind if you think you can get by me in a game.”
She bent closer in. “Not only get by you, but I will mow you down,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek.
The innocent touch ignited the sexual chemistry that surrounded them the entire day. They stared at each other for the longest moment without touching or speaking. As if on cue, the smooth voice of Al Jarreau slipped through the speaker. “Dance with me,” he said as he took her hand and pulled her to him. She eased her arm around his shoulders as he placed his around her waist, neither breaking eye contact. With her small hand in his, he pulled her closer and rested his chin on her head as they danced quietly to Al singing Teach Me Tonight. The sweet torture of sexual chemistry continued to crack through the air like a bullwhip being handled by an expert.
It was taking every ounce of Zack’s will power to keep his desire under control. The conversation with Samuel and Joshua played in his mind. At the time he had no intentions of getting involved with Diamond and he told them that. Then there was the statement Jade made. How could he take her virginity when he knew this would not lead to what she wanted and deserved—commitment, marriage and everlasting love. Knowing all of that, he still wanted her with a passion that was threatening to consume him.
Perfect. That was the only word Diamond could use to describe the man who was holding her so possessively. He’d let his guard down enough to allow her to see the real man and she now knew—she loved all of him. Not just the caring brother to her friend or the man totally committed to his craft, or the very decisive businessman, but the Zackary he tried desperately to hide from her. She wanted all of him, even the one that lashed out at her to keep her at bay. “Teach me, Zackary. Teach me to satisfy you,” she whispered against his throat.
The request began to weaken his already tenuous control. Pulling her closer, he placed her hand on his heart. “As much as I want to, I can’t.” He could feel the disappointment in her body’s reaction to his statement. He held her a little tighter, “I can’t give you what you want Diamond, I can’t love you back.”
She kissed his throat and tucked her head there, “I know and I accept that. I’m not asking for anything more than you making love to me tonight. I’d rather you teach me the right way than someone else fumbling through.” She kissed his throat, “Please teach me, Zackary. Teach me tonight.”
Groaning at the touch of her lips to his already hot skin, he greedily took her lips hostage and began a full assault of its inner regions. All thoughts of his mother, Celeste, Samuel and Joshua ceased to exist. Only the woman in his arms, who had taken complete control of his senses, was on his mind and taking root in his soul.
His hands roamed down her back to her firm behind, lifting her until he felt her legs enclose around his waist then turned to the steps leading to the lower
level of the boat. Stopping in the doorway, he looked into her eyes. “Now is the time for you to tell me to stop.” She responded by taking his bottom lip between her teeth and running her tongue over it. “Aw hell,” he growled as he carried her down the stairs closing the cabin door behind them.
They fell onto the bed, still entwined. Breaking the kiss for a moment, he pulled her cardigan over her head, removed her black lace bra and placed his face between her breasts and inhaled. “Diamond,” he moaned as he turned and took her nipple between his lips, sucking until it hardened to his liking, while caressing the other, liking the way it filled his hand. Her body squirmed beneath him as her breathing increased. He planted a trail of kisses down her stomach until he reached the opening to her jeans. Unfastening them, he slid them and her black lace panties down her legs then dropped them to the floor. He had to stop, just to feast on the sight of her. The word perfection should have a picture of her next to it in the dictionary. She was perfect, lying there with the look of innocence and arousal so deep it caused him to inhale. This was a sight no man had ever seen, and suddenly, he wanted it to stay that way.
Shaking the thought from his mind, he removed his shirt and his jeans soon followed. She never blinked or showed any signs of nervousness while he undressed. Only the look of wanting him was on her face. What he had done in his life to deserve her level of trust he didn’t know, but he would certainly do all in his power to reward her for it.
He reached down, pulled her foot to his lips, kissed the arch, then the ankle and dropped to his knees. Beginning behind the knee on her left leg, he kissed her inner thigh until he heard her call his name. Switching to the other, he followed the same path. He reached out and spread his hands across her stomach, encircled her waist and pulled until the very core of her was at his lips. Not bothering with a sip, he took her as if she were his only lifeline, devouring her until her body jerked uncontrollably. Then he joined her on the bed, holding her convulsing body until the remnants of her first lesson began to ease. The fact that his arousal was about to explode did not faze him as much as making sure she was ready to take him inside her.
Reaching for his jeans he pulled a condom from his pocket and prepared himself. Easing between her legs, he positioned himself at the very tip of her entrance, lay on top of her and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her eyes were closed and she bit her bottom lip. He began kissing the very spot she was biting down on. “Look at me Diamond.” She opened her eyes. The fear, need, and desire were all present. And there was something else, but he didn’t dare explore it any further.
“I want to see your eyes when we unite.” Slowly he entered her and could immediately feel the tightness of her surround him. He had to take a moment. He pulled back, then slowly retraced his path, sinking deeper as her body snuggly surrounded him, pulling him further and further until he reached her treasure.
Neither took their eyes from the other as her muscles sweetly surrounded him like a glove. Perspiration formed on his brow, for he was doing all he could to hold back from pushing further; the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She must have sensed his hesitation, for she spread her legs wider, wrapped them around him and lifted her body to his. She cried out as he smothered her lips with his lips, doing what he could to ease her through the discomfort. “I’m sorry,” he kissed her on her cheek, down her throat, on her eyelids and back to her lips. When her inner muscles began to relax around him, he began a slow, smooth circular pattern of motion. She copied his movements, slowly, at first, then the two began the rhythm as old as time—moving as one.
Their movements increased as did their breathing while he told her just how good she felt to him. Moving his hands down to her waist he held her in place as he began to move in and out, increasing the intensity with each stroke. Suddenly, being inside her was a matter of life or death; he had to plunge deeper and deeper to satisfy her. Every entry was an effort to please her—to fill her. Nothing else mattered, just the thought of giving everything he had just to please her was his goal. Her nails breaking into his skin cautioned him and he slowed, but she was not having it. She tightened her hold on him, raising her body to him at a feverish pace, rising to meet his every thrust, holding on for her life, allowing him to go further and further until she exploded with a scream. Her muscles began powerful contractions around him, pulling everything from him. With one last thrust he pulled back, slammed in and released his heart, his soul, the very essence of him into her as he called out her name.
Nothing or no one could have prepared him for the euphoria he felt being inside her. The gentle kisses against his face, and throat began to calm the storm inside him. Turning, he looked into her lustful eyes. Cradling her face in his hands he kissed her, long, deep and slow. The action was meant to thank her for sharing the very essence of her with him, but it only ignited the fire that had started and he began to grow inside her again. It took a moment but he realized it was her moving beneath him. Breaking the kiss he stared down at her and that’s when he saw that determined look. A slow sensuous smile began to form on his lips, “I can see you are going to have an insatiable appetite Ms. Lassister.”
Returning the smile she replied, “You could say that, Mr. Davenport. But I prefer to say I’m downright greedy when it comes to you.”
Turning, he pulled her on top of him. “Really, how greedy?”
“I don’t know,” she replied shaking her head, “I’m liking what we’ve done thus far—24/7 wouldn’t upset me in the least.” She placed kisses down his chest and sat up.
Holding her hips with her looking down at him, Zack moved her slowly in place. She held his arms for balance then closed her eyes as the slow rhythm began to stir deep inside her again. “Your wish is my command.” Zack smiled as he watched the student take center stage.
Chapter 14
The next morning Zack lay awake watching the woman, who fit so snugly in his arms, sleep. The woman had rocked his world. She was beautiful from head to toe and tasted just as sweet, for he had indulged in every inch of her, so he knew. It had been years since he held a woman like this, and that woman had been Celeste. But this felt different in some way; nothing Celeste had done made him feel this complete, this content. That was an unsettling thought for him. This woman could hurt him deeper than Celeste ever had.
He eased out of the bed and went to cover her body with the comforter when he noticed the proof of her innocence. There was a touch of male pride that entered his mind—this woman had given herself to him completely. Feeling the pull to touch her again, he shook his head then covered her body.
While taking a shower he wondered how she felt, was she sore, if she needed anything to ease her discomfort. As he toweled dry there was one thing he knew he had to do. He called Xavier, who picked up on the second ring. “Hey X-man, did I wake you?”
“It’s six in the morning Zack, of course you woke me. What’s going on?” he asked groggily.
“I need you to pick up my bike from Urbanna and leave my car there.”
“Urbanna? Where are you?”
“I’m in D.C.”
“You took Arthur out? Why didn’t you tell me, I would have joined you.”
Looking at Diamond lying asleep, he shook his head. “Not this time little brother.”
Hesitating for a moment, Xavier wondered. “You took Diamond out on Arthur?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Zack,” he hesitated again. “Is she okay?”
“She’s still asleep.”
“Is Diamond the reason I need to pick up your bike?”
“Yes.” There was an uneasy silence between the two brothers. Zack knew how close the two were and was sure X-man knew of her virginal state. “You have my word she is fine. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
“I know you won’t do anything intentionally. But Zack your baggage with Celeste has a way of bringing out the worst in you. I don’t want Diamond to pay for that.”
Rubbing the back of his head and
exhaling Zack found himself torn. He loved his brother and did not want to do anything to disappoint him, but he could not tell him what he wanted to hear. “I hear you X-man, I don’t know where things stand here. This woman is in love with me and I’ll be damned if I know why. All I can say is the thought of any other man being near her bothers me. I can’t give you or her anything more than that.”
“I love you Zack and I know you are going to do the right thing. If you are not going to commit to her don’t stand in her way. I’ll leave it at that. Your car will be at the dock when you return.”
“Thanks man, I’ll talk to you soon.” He hung up the telephone and turned to find Diamond standing in the doorway with his polo shirt on. Immediately he wondered how much she had heard of the conversation.
“Good morning,” she said, “I was just wondering where you kept the towels.”
He tried to read her thoughts, but her appearance in his shirt captured his mind. “How are you this morning?” he asked.
She didn’t move. “I’m fine, thank you,” but she didn’t say anything more.
He pulled towels and face cloths from the cabinet above and walked towards her.
The closer he got the more apparent her eyes gave away her disappointment. He sat the towels on the table and pulled her into his arms. “Diamond, talk to me.”
She hugged him and said, “It’s okay Zackary. You told me before we made love how you felt. I made the decision to be with you and I don’t regret one moment of it.” She pulled away, picked up the towel and headed back to the master cabin into the shower.
The words she heard did hurt, but she knew this was an uphill battle. The simple truth was she loved him and she was willing to give him the time to realize they belonged together. One thing was for sure, he was gentle and patient as he taught her how to make love to him. His touch was lethal and he literally killed her with his kisses. All night she longed to be near him just as she did now. But she had to hide the hurt, which would be difficult—she believed in being up front. Her family did not conceal their feelings, they were openly loving. A frown appeared as she stepped out and began to dry off. Was she willing to settle for less than a totally committed, loving relationship? As she was growing up the one thing that helped her parents deal with the rough times was the love they shared. If she settled, what would they fall back on to get them through those times? She put the shirt back on and thought, there was no way a man could be that tender, that loving if he did not have some feelings for his partner. Okay, she was not a person to see a glass half empty. In her way of looking at things, she was half way to having Zackary Davenport’s love.
Teach Me (The Gems & Gents Series) Page 12