Teach Me (The Gems & Gents Series)

by Bolling, Iris

  “And don’t come back pregnant,” Phire yelled over her mother’s shoulder. Sally turned and stared at her daughter. Phire took a step back, “I’m just saying.”

  The other members of the family, that were now all inside the house laughed, then turned to Ann to tell her the news.

  When he finally had Diamond to himself, Zack drove to Davenport Estates and parked by the lot he’d broken ground on to build their home. The temperature was crisp, but bearable. He pulled out two chairs and a table from the back of the truck. He sat one chair facing the river and the other facing the street. He sat a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table. “This is where our bedroom deck will be.” He explained as he took her by the hand, sat her in the chair, then wrapped the blanket around her legs. He took the seat facing her with the view of the James River behind her. With Arthur in his hands, he smiled. “This is the view I want to see each morning for the rest of my life.”

  Diamond poured two glasses of wine. Taking one in her hand, she crossed her jean covered legs, sat back and waited for Zack to serenade her. Zack, licked his lips, placed them on the mouthpiece of King Arthur and began playing his rendition of Teach Me Tonight. With every note, her heart expanded. By the time he hit the last note, her heart exploded with so much love for this man she thought she would die in that spot. Dropping the glass to the ground, she rushed into his arms. King Arthur fell to the ground as Zack wrapped her in his arms and kissed her well into the morning light.

  Yes, that was a football game that was well worth the punishment he’d taken from the gems. Now he stood with Xavier at his side and his mother watching on as the wedding procession began.

  The bridal party was simple, but nowhere near small. There were six bridesmaids, Cynthia, Ruby, Pearl, Jade, Opal and Phire, six groomsmen, Samuel, Joshua, Luke, Matthew, Timothy and Adam, one dog, Commando as the ring bearer and one very happy little girl, Chanté as the flower girl. It was hard to determine who received the most attention, Commando in his tuxedo carrying the ring pillow in his mouth or Chanté who was breathtaking as she danced down the aisle. The one thing Zack and Diamond had agreed on was that they wanted to keep Chanté as a part of their life in some way. As part of a plea agreement, Celeste signed over custody of Chanté to Teddy’s parents. Zack set up a trust fund to ensure the child would be financially able to live her dream. Cynthia kept her promise and connected Chanté with her brother Blake who immediately saw the talent in the child and hooked her up with his agent. Chanté was now an honorary member of the Lassiter family.

  Zack’s patience was running thin. There were just too many people in front of Diamond. He wanted, no, needed to see her soon or he was going to start throwing bodies out of the way until he found her. But then, standing in the doorway next to her father, there was Diamond, looking sexier than words could describe. Her dress had a diamond studded, jeweled, halter neckline, The asymmetric body fitting gown, had the sexiest side slit that showed off her beautiful long legs, and a train extending from her knees down. Her shoes were diamond encrusted four-inch sandals that just added more shape to those legs. A simple diamond bracelet and teardrop diamond earrings completed the look. She was the epitome of elegant sophistication. If that wasn’t enough, when he stepped forward and placed his hand on her lower back, there was nothing there but skin. Taking a quick peep behind her, he noticed the back of the dress dipped, exposing her bare back. Zack inhaled as he heard Xavier snicker and knew he had read his mind. His first instinct was to take off his jacket and wrap it around her shoulders so no one else could see what was his. But then it dawned on him, she was his. At that moment Diamond smiled up at him and the world was right. Nothing else mattered.

  What a day to celebrate. The air was cool and crisp. The sky was sunny without a cloud in sight and another Lassiter had taken the plunge.

  After the ceremony, the couple and family took pictures then joined the guests in the reception hall. Joe, Sally and Ann took their seats and watched as their children and their guests partied hard. “Two down and ten to go,” Joe smiled down at his wife.

  “I like him for Diamond,” Sally said.

  “Zack’s a good man. He loves her and will move heaven and earth to keep what he’s found.” Joe smiled.

  “I think Ruby feels some kind of way about Diamond getting married before her. Now, Pearl couldn’t care less. I don’t think that child will ever find a man.”

  “Yes, she will,” Joe kissed his wife’s forehead. “There is a man that will change her mind about love.”

  “Is she still sleeping with the Thompson boy?”

  “Brian?” Sally shook her head. “I think Sammy put a stop to that.”

  “Is the boy still alive?”

  Sally smiled, “Yes.”

  “Damn. I think Cynthia has softened him up too much. There was a time when Sammy was harder on his sister’s boyfriend’s than Joshua.”

  “That’s the one we have to be concerned with,” Sally exhaled.

  “Joshua is going to be just fine,” Joe consoled his wife, not sure if he believed the words himself. “Either way, the family is growing.”

  Xavier stood at the next table talking to the girls. “I thought the game was touch football. You were hitting like it was the super bowl.”

  “Oh stop crying like a baby,” Opal replied. “You can always take his hits for him.”

  “Yeah, I’d like to tackle you once or twice.” Phire smiled at Xavier. The group stopped and stared at Phire. She shrugged her shoulders, “What?”

  Joe laughed. “I love my precious gems. They are just like their mother. Brilliantly beautiful as the stones they were named for and just as rough as an uncut diamond.” Sally smiled up at him and kissed his neck. He in turn pulled her petite body into his lap and began to nuzzle her neck.

  “Ain’t that how you got those twelve that’s already here?” Ann said from her seat at the next table.

  “Yes it is.” Joe replied. “We’re going for twelve more.”

  The room grew quiet as fourteen pairs of eyes turned to them and in unison yelled. “What?” Joe and Sally laughed at the expressions on their children’s faces.

  The guests were a virtual who’s who, including State Attorney General JD Harrison and his wife Tracy, millionaire James Brooks and his wife Ashley, and Senator John Roth and his wife Lena. Even Prince LaVere’ from Emure was there to celebrate the marriage of one of the Lassiters. Pearl worked for the Attorney General and James Brooks.

  Samuel and Joshua both had worked for Senator Roth and Prince LaVere’ at some point in time. Yes, the Lassiter’s reach was far and wide and quite powerful, even though they would never use it. Zack really didn’t care about any of that. What he wanted to do now, more than anything, was to get Diamond alone and show her just how much love she had in store. However, tradition dictated that they spend a little time at the reception before taking their leave. “It will be time to go soon,” Diamond kissed her husband’s neck, as they danced.“One more dance, then I need to get you out of that dress.” Zack whispered into her ear.

  JD, Tracy, James, Ashley, Samuel, Cynthia, Joshua, Prince LaVere’ and Pearl were sitting at a table catching up on Brian’s condition. As JD’s body man, he had recently been shot and was now recuperating. JD turned to Joshua, who had taken the seat next to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Brian sent you a message.”

  Joshua picked up his drink. “Yeah, what was that?”

  “He said you’re next.”

  “Next for what?” Joshua asked just as he put the glass to his lips.

  “To get married.”

  The liquid had just made it to his tongue as he almost choked. JD laughed at the expression on Joshua’s face. The table exploded in laughter. “It’s not bad Joshua.” JD smiled. “I get to wake up every morning to the most exquisite woman in the world.” He turned and lightly kissed his wife on the lips.

  “I have to disagree Mr. Attorney General,” Samuel smiled at his wife, “That honor belongs to m
e.”

  James laughed in that rich baritone voice of his, shaking his head, “I’m afraid you both are mistaken.” He looked at Ashley. “I’m the fortunate one.”

  Prince LaVere’s cell phone rang. “Saved by the bell!” Joshua exclaimed as he looked disgustedly at the men around the table ogling their wives.

  Laughing, Prince LaVere’ answered his phone. The laughter faded as he asked a series of questions. Concern was etched on the face of everyone at the table. Joshua and Samuel stood, as LaVere’ turned to them. “Zsa Zsa, my little sister has been kidnapped.”

  The men began moving. James and JD spoke quietly with LaVere, getting details. Samuel went to let his parents know that he and Joshua would be leaving. Joshua placed a call to have a helicopter prepared for a long journey. He walked back over to LaVere’. “Our transportation will be here in five minutes.”

  LaVere’ looked at the men that were all ready and willing to assist his family. “Thank you my friends.”

  “Let’s move,” Joshua stated. And just like that, the men were gone.

  Pearl looked around the table at the women and shook her head. “Men,” she exclaimed. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

  L

  Finally, Zack and Diamond took their leave. The honeymoon was to be as unique as the couple. Imagine her surprise when the limo pulled up in the circular driveway of the Hutchison Estate. “Why are we at Grant’s house?”

  Zack took her hand as he helped her out of the limo. Grant appeared at the entrance. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Davenport. Your chariot awaits.” He guided them to the back of the house. To her surprise, Arthur was docked there. The beam in her eyes was all he needed to know he had made the right decision. “We are taking the yacht from Virginia through the Carolinas, docking at different cities in between, until we reach the coastal waters of Florida. Then we are spending the week on a private island where I can make love to you all day and night.”

  “Look at you, becoming the romantic husband. I like that.”

  “You’re going to like this even more.” He threw a hand up and Diamond thought he was waiving bye to Grant, but instead it was a signal. Lights illuminated the area and now she could clearly see the yacht. It was no longer called Arthur. Now in big bold letters and in beautiful script, the name Diamond appeared. Tears filled her eyes.

  “Now whenever I want to relax, I’ll climb aboard the Diamond.”

  “Oh, you are definitely getting some tonight and many nights to come.”

  Hours later, Zack sat on the bed watching as Diamond talked to her family on the phone. At that moment, he could not imagine his life without her. The years of dealing with hurt and betrayal seemed to have vanished as if they had never happened. Love is a powerful emotion, he thought. It can stomp out years of hate and despair in a matter of moments. His life, that was lonely only months ago, was now filled with family, friends and even his mother. Things still felt a little strained with X-man, but he believed that with time his brother would understand his reason for keeping Ann away and that it had been done out of love.

  That’s the lesson he had learned, love conquers all. Diamond may have been the one to ask him to teach her how to love. But the truth was now staring him in the face.

  The look in his eyes is what every woman should see every day of their lives. She could feel the intensity of his look. “A penny for your thoughts,” Diamond said as she watched her husband from the vanity in the stateroom of their yacht. His long muscular legs were stretched out, partially covered by the satin sheet from the bed. His arms were braced under his head exposing his chest, which she had the urge to run her tongue across.

  His eyes shifted to hers. There she was, his life, his world, his children and his future. “I was thinking you are the most alluring, seductive, luscious tasting woman I have ever known. And I thank God for bringing you into my life.”

  For a moment Diamond was speechless. She held his gaze as his words settled into her heart. She slowly stood, allowing the white silk robe to drop to the floor. Walking over to the bed, she straddled him, cupped his face between her hands and gently kissed his lips. “You Zackary Davenport are the sexiest, most adoring, magnificently endowed man I know. And I thank God every second of the day for allowing you to teach me how to love.”

  His eyes darkened as a smirk reached his lips. His hands circled her waist as he effortlessly lifted her onto his engorged shaft. He filled her completely. “It was you who taught me,” he moved slightly within her. “You know what I want now?”

  “What?” she moaned at the smooth movement.

  “Teach me more.”