by Shae Black
“I wanted to drive you here my self and put a blindfold over your eyes. Fucking cast.”
“Blindfolded?”
“Mmmhmm, we can still do that later if you like.” No I do not like…I don’t think so anyway. It’s obvious he’s talking about blindfolding me in the bedroom. Shit, it looks like I may have to reveal more about my attack. Sex with Marcus has been phenomenal, and I trust him but a blindfold… every limit I’ve ever had has been tested with this man. The thought of being blindfolded during sex though…that makes my entire body break out into a sweat. “Turn here.” I make the turn into the Pacific Mall parking lot.
“We’re really going shopping, like at the mall?”
“Yes, ‘like at the mall’,” he answers sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“You know you should have a handicap hanger on your rear view mirror, we could park right up front.” He hates the idea of being disabled, if only temporarily. I risk taking my eyes off the wheel for a split second to see his reaction and I’m damn glad I did, his expression is hilarious! I fall into a fit of giggles when I see his deep frown and tight set jaw. The sound of my laughter releases some of that irritation on his face though because when I peek out of the corner of my eye again he is gazing lovingly at me.
“Imani, you confound me, no one I have ever known has smarted off like that with me. If I weren’t in this cast I would put you over my lap and spank you.”
I pull the car into a spot, turn it off and face him in my seat, he may complain about my smart mouth but his eyes are smiling. “You love it, you know you do.”
“I will not dignify that with an answer Ms. Jefferson, now get out of the car,” he orders.
“Where are we going?”
“I have not told you for a reason, just help me out of the damn car.” He is so bossy, but that’s just Marcus. I help him out of the car and we start toward the main entrance to the mall, I can sense Nick following us, just far enough behind to give us privacy but close enough to be of assistance if necessary. I wonder why I’m not allowed to know where we’re going, I have a hunch it’s because he knows there’s a good chance I won’t accept whatever he’s planning on giving to me. After a little maneuvering through the mall I spot it, Tiffany’s; fuck no! If that’s where we are going he was smart to keep it secret, there’s no way I’m taking jewelry from Marcus. I know him well enough to know it won’t be anything I would consider affordable, everything he does is big, gaudy and overboard.
“Uh… I’m not going in there if that’s what you’re planning,” I say nodding my head toward the only store in this mall he’d be caught dead in. When I stop dead in my tracks he lifts his eyes briefly toward the ceiling.
“Yes you are, you will not deny me the satisfaction of spoiling you.”
“Wrong, I will most certainly deny you the satisfaction Marcus, I’m a nurse, I don’t wear jewelry or fancy things that come from a place like that. It’s just not me, I can’t accept any more gifts from you.” And the face-off begins; he leans on his crutches, staring at me for what seems like forever, willing to wait however long it takes. Finally he breaks the silence. “I am going to stand here until you say you will go into that store and you will accept my gift and you will love it.”
“You’re gonna get mighty tired standing there all night on crutches Mr. Castillo.”
“Maybe so, but you have not had the pleasure of experiencing my stamina, I’m not fucking around Imani, I’ll stand here forever.” Oh. My. God. He’s serious. He always gets what he wants and he’s always right, how could I forget? I’m stubborn though I’m standing my ground. I glance around and see Nick in the distance, settled on a leather couch scanning the area. I wonder if he knows what’s going on? I’ll bet he took a seat anticipating this would be a long wait. We face each other while people walk around us, a few stare, others whisper but most just pretend to we aren’t there, those are the smart shoppers. Marcus’s eyes are trained on me but I avoid them, if I look at him I’ll cave. He knows it and I’m sure that’s why he continues the stand off. Shit I think we’ve been standing here for a good thirty minutes, not long really, but I’m in heels and he’s on crutches. I’m sick of this game.
“I want to go home.”
“I want to give you a gift,” he responds, matter-of-factly.
“Marcus.” I stomp my foot, shit I didn’t mean to do that.
“Imani,” He’s getting fed up with this, I can hear it in his tone, just a little longer…
“Come on, I really want to go home,” I whine.
“No, but you can stomp your tiny little foot again, It’s adorable, and hot.” Ahh, he’s pissing me off which inadvertently makes me more stubborn. We stand for another fifteen minutes I’m steaming mad, alternating my weight from foot to foot in my fucking heels. Marcus smiles occasionally, rocking around casually on his crutches. Finally I humph and turn toward Tiffany’s submitting to the most pig headed man on earth. He knows better than to say anything though as he click clacks just behind me. When we are near the entrance of the store I see his reflection in the glass, he has a huge smile spread across his smug face. The second we pass through the doors, a woman dressed impeccably in a white pantsuit approaches.
“Angela,” he addresses her blandly by her first name.
“Mr. Castillo, so good to see you, I have your package all ready for you.”
“This is Imani Jefferson,” he introduces me and I politely extend my hand. I’ll play nice I guess, poor woman doesn’t know we just had a forty-five minute showdown in the middle of the mall.
“So nice to meet you Imani.”
“You too, Angela is it?”
“Yes, Marcus has spoken highly of you Ms. Jefferson, you must be very special.” Angela gushes embarrassingly, and Marcus doesn’t like it. I wonder what he’s been saying to Ms. Angela about me?
“We need to sit Angela.” Marcus is irritated; Angela is overstepping her boundaries with him, uh oh. “Oh of course, I’m so sorry, this way.” She steers us to an area in the rear of the store where we take a seat. Angela looks a little unnerved; I wonder how long she’s known Marcus. She responds to him like everyone else I’ve met who knew him before his accident, apprehensive and scared.
“I’ll just get the box.” She nervously, smooth’s the front of her jacket at the waist. “Good idea, we would like to get home.” He’s so rude sometimes, again I feel sorry for her, yet at the same time I appreciate his directness, I want to go home too. Nick stands just inside the door and I notice no sales person is approaching him.
“Do they know Nick is with us?” I ask.
“Yes they do, I have been here before.”
I bristle, I’ve never been jealous of anyone about anything in my life until right now and I shoot off my mouth before I think. “Really? So this is your hot spot where you buy all of your girlfriends gifts?” Why the hell did I just say that? A deep wrinkle forms between his brows and his lips press into a straight line. He’s trying to control his annoyance but just barely.
“This is not my hot spot, Imani. They sell a variety of items here; I do wear cuff links and a watch. And for your information I have never bought a woman anything here or anywhere, you are the first.”
“Oh…” God I'm so embarrassed, what the fuck is wrong with me? I shut my mouth and wait patiently next to him on the plush, soft Tiffany blue colored couch. I can feel the heat of his thigh against mine, even when we drive each other nuts that magnetism hums between us. Angela is taking forever, I survey the store while we wait and notice we’re the only people in the store. That’s weird, or maybe not, what do I know, I’ve never shopped in a place like this, maybe it’s by appointment only? Angela returns with a signature blue Tiffany’s box, she presents it to Marcus and hustles away. When Marcus turned to me on the couch I had a moment of apprehension, that box isn’t small enough to be…no, it couldn’t be… he looks at the box in his hands for a moment.
When his trademark shocking green eyes meet mine he open
s his mouth to speak but closes it once before starting again, “Imani, before the accident I thought my life was over. I met every goal I ever set for myself, everything I wanted was mine, there was nothing left to desire. I thought I had it all. And then there was you, whispering to me in the dark, asking me to live. I had no idea how much I was missing, and if it took a car accident, near drowning and a coma for me to find you, it was worth it. For the first time in my life I have calm in my heart. Remember when I told you that you were my savior?”
I nod silently not wanting to break the spell his words are casting over me. “I meant it. I want you to have this, not many things make me happy but spoiling you does so let me, please.”
My stubbornness evaporates and my body melts into the cushions Tiffany blue couch. He places the box in my hand as hot tears flood my eyes. Inside is a wide-cuff bracelet, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires in a tiny, delicate scallop pattern. It’s exquisite; I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s too much, I knew it would be but nothing could have prepared me for this. Shit, my head starts to swim for the umpteenth time this month and Marcus’s voice warps when he speaks to me.
“Imani, breathe baby, you’re going to pass out. Damn it you have the strangest reaction to excitement!” The sound of blood rushing in my ears is a clear warning that I need to take deep breaths, after a few my head begins to right itself and I can finally respond.
“Oh my… it’s… it’s amazing. I love it, so, so much, thank you Marcus.” Placing it on my wrist he gathers my hands in his. “I want you to leave it on… always.” When I look up at him he’s beaming and I launch myself into his lap. Forgetting about the employees who are watching, the cast on his leg and Nick guarding the door I launch myself into his lap. As much as I don’t want to accept such an extravagant gift from him, that speech neutralized any opposition I may have had. If this is what makes him happy then I acquiesces. His spoiling ways are going to take some getting used to, this man doesn’t do anything small or subtle. It’s the same in all aspects of his personality including the way he has captured my heart. I belong to him; every molecule of me is his.
Chapter 28
When we return home I find a gown hanging from the canopy between the gauze that drapes over bed. Marcus informed me that our dinner tonight would be formal attire, which I think is sort of funny since we’re staying home. But hey at least my bracelet will be appropriate. I don’t know how much things like this cost and frankly I’m afraid to wear it in public for fear it will be torn off of my arm. Dressing up and staying in is fine with me. Looking down at the outrageous gift, I still can’t get over how stunning it is. When the light catches the diamonds they glitter like the setting sun on the ocean at dusk. I sigh and that little niggle of doubt tugs at my happiness like a child pulling at the hem of her mother’s dress for attention and I’m reminded of how tenuous this relationship is. Things could be over in the blink of Marcus’s eye, the threat of his old personality constantly looms in my mind. Right next to it is that ugly insecure piece of me that doesn’t believe I deserve any of this, the gifts, the sex, the overwhelming feelings of being loved, being cherished…. none of it. I finger the gown hanging in front of me lightly. It’s a stunning silver sheer material with a bit of shimmer woven in amongst tiny crystals that run in vertical lines down the length of the dress. I’m surprised it’s not some shade of purple, every piece of clothing he has given me has been lavender or purple. I can’t wait to put it on, and I’m praying someone has removed the price tag because I’m still seriously having issues with all of this extravagance. It’s a rare occurrence that Marcus has allowed me out of his sight to get ready for dinner so I take advantage and fill the tub in my bathroom. After emerging smelling of jasmine, compliments of an amazing bottle of body wash that is always magically full to the top on the table next to the tub, I tap my iPad to life to listen to some music.
Turn the Night Up by Enrique Iglesias pumps a heavy danceable beat while I dry my hair and apply my makeup. I’m happy, that deep down bursting at the seams kind of happy as I shake my hips and make silly faces in the mirror. Being a goofball helps relieve some of the stress I’ve had building up over the past weeks; it feels good to just mess around with no intensity, no worries, and no tension. That’s why I love music so much, it’s an escape, a time I can let it all go for a little while and just relax.
I move from the en suite to my room and notice that there are two boxes on the bed that weren’t there before, a shoebox and another larger, flat glossy black box. He doesn’t know when to stop. Rolling my eyes, I open the shoebox first, I adore shoes, they are my weakness. Inside is a pair of 4-inch silver heels encrusted with crystals and thin straps that are meant to surround the ankle; they’re exquisite, as is everything Marcus gifts me. I can hardly wait to put them on, but curiosity as to what’s in the other box wins and I open black box to investigate; nestled inside layers of tissue, is a set of sheer panties and a matching bra, complete with a delicate garter and nearly invisible stockings. Oh …he knows what he likes. I drop my silk robe and slip into the undergarments, and my new bracelet. The dress can wait; I need to get those shoes on my feet. I slip them on and stand in front of the freestanding antique mirror staring at a stranger.
I look delicate, elegant, and sexy, a far cry from my scrubs and tennis shoes. My naturally wavy raven hair cascades down my back with only a few pieces from the front gathered loosely at the nape of my neck. Lost in thought I startle when the door clicks behind me opening just a crack Marcus stops in his tracks when he sees me standing there in only heels and lingerie. I hear him hiss through clenched teeth as he staggers back a step leaning on his crutches to keep from falling. But he recovers swiftly pushing the door open wider for a better view. He’s dressed for dinner, the picture of perfection looking like a male model in a custom tailored tuxedo. Our eyes lock mine are surprised and his are full of lust. Without a word he steps back closing the door quietly. I stand there alone and perplexed, why didn’t he seize the moment, why didn’t I? He very easily could have, my God I wish he would have. With my heart racing and heat quickly building between my thighs I consider the way my body responds to him, after only seconds in his presence every particle in my body is awake. Ok Imani, focus, just get dressed, the faster you get ready the faster you’ll be with him. The dress makes me feel like a queen when I step into it. The chiffon flows softly against my legs and I notice it’s slit all the way up one side to my thigh. The light color of the dress is a perfect compliment to my brown skin. One last mirror check, I adjust the diamond sapphire cuff on my wrist and I’m ready. The smell of Italian food fills the house making my stomach growl as I make my way to the dining room. I haven’t eaten much today, that’s unusual for Marcus to allow that to happen, he’s usually very punctual about meals. Marcus has been cooking authentic Italian food since he was a young boy, maybe he’s been lax with his meal schedule because he has something special planned for dinner, I hope so I’m starving and not just for food. It’s amazing how I just cannot get enough of Mr. Marcus Castillo.
The dining room has been transformed from every day ordinary into dreamy and romantic. The lights in a crystal chandelier are turned down bathing the room in a soft glow. Flickering candles line the breakfront on my right and the long mahogany table is covered with a deep purple cloth. Lily’s float in glass bowls down the center of the table that has a place setting on opposite ends. I’m not interested in sitting so far from him, how are we going to talk? An instrumental version of Adel’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ plays on the sound system overhead. Marcus arrives while I’m still taking it all in. Stopping behind me he presses his front to my back as he sweeps my hair from one shoulder onto the other for better access to my neck. “My God you are stunning. I have never seen anything more beautiful than you are right now. I don’t know how I am going to make it through dinner without ravishing you.”
A shiver runs down my spine as his warm breath tickles my ear. I turn in his arms to face him
and I can’t help but glance at his perfect lips before zeroing in on his eyes. I place my hand on his smooth, freshly shaven cheek and his eyes close as he tilts his face into my palm. Inhaling deeply as if to breathe me into his body he turns his face further to kiss the tips of my fingers.
A waiter from Dominus enters the room breaking the spell and we reluctantly move to our seats, as he pours wine with the flair only a professional server can.
“You look very handsome Mr. Castillo,” I say from my much-too-far-away seat at the dining table.
“Thank you.” Wow, a rare thank you, but what else can he say when given a compliment?
“Why are we so far from each other, I like being close to you,” I complain.
“Mmm as I do you Imani. I am an extremely disciplined man, but even I know my limits. I apologize for the distance but there is no way I could make it through dinner in a private dining room with you in that dress. I have already imagined tearing it from your skin and bending you over this table to fuck you hard and proper. Especially knowing how delicious you look underneath it,” he says, while arranging himself in the chair and setting his crutches aside. He looks down the table at me his hands steeple in front of him, elbows on the table with his signature smirk and wink. He’s a smart man indeed. I already need a change of panties and we’ve just sat down. I restrain myself, I am dying to be closer to him, but I have business to discuss with him at dinner so I focus on that and stay put on my end of the long table. It’s a challenge to stay poised, a game maybe, and I really hate to lose any kind of game. We both take a drink of wine, I’ve never been a big wine drinker but clearly I had no idea how to choose one because this is amazing, I could down the entire glass in one drink, but I mind my manners. Dinner is served in courses, we chat lightly while we eat, and I drink more wine than I should before I remember I need to talk to him about going back to work at the hospital. I hate to ruin the mood but it’s actually to my advantage to do it now when we are so far apart.