by Candace Shaw
Broderick pulled out of her and repositioned them so that she was on all fours. She placed her hands on the couch and cooled her panting down as he stood and slipped out of his pants. He then slid his body over hers and placed his blazing tongue on the back of her neck, which released a cry from her that she buried in the cushion. He moved his hand around to her breasts, kneading and massaging them. She banged her fists on the couch, and she wasn’t sure how much more stimulation she could handle. Tiffani was so immersed with his tongue and hands on her body that a surprising wail escaped her when he entered with one long thrust.
He held on to her hips tightly and slowly pulled her all the way out from him and then all the way back with one long motion, over and over, speeding up every time. Tiffani couldn’t control her fervent moans that increased with every second. She hoped no one could hear her next door or in her own place of business, for that matter.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear with a naughty chuckle, “I’m only moving your hips. I haven’t even begun yet.” He turned her face around, licked his tongue toward her mouth and kissed her with so much urgency and desire that she honestly didn’t know if she could handle anything else. And then he began to thrust into her so powerfully and deep her orgasms began to overlap each other, sending her into oblivion.
“You coming for me, baby?” he inquired with his lips on her as he slapped her bottom.
“Oh, yes. Please don’t stop.”
The raw, wild pleasure and pain seemed as if it would never end and knowing Broderick’s endurance, it would be a while. But she didn’t want it to end. She’d craved and missed him the past few days and all of her repressed feelings for him were coming out as she climaxed. Clutching him, she felt him pulsating inside of her as he slammed into her and vibrated behind her with a long, screeching howl.
Broderick leaned over and kissed the few tears that had rolled down her cheeks and gathered her in his arms on the couch. Kissing her forehead, he rubbed her sore bottom where he had slapped it a few times.
She settled her eyes on his. “This doesn’t mean I’m no longer upset with you.”
He chuckled. “I know, but I told you this isn’t over yet.”
“Mmm...perhaps. But this doesn’t mean I don’t want to go out with the corny dude,” she teased.
“Trust me, after the way I just made love to your mind, you’ll never want nor need another man to touch you ever again.” Releasing her from his embrace, he picked up his pants from the floor and stepped into the bathroom.
Broderick’s words replayed in her head, and she groaned silently because she knew he was telling the truth. After that escapade, she couldn’t fathom any other man in her life. He came out moments later, and she still sat satisfied on the couch.
“I need to leave. I really do have a meeting at Seasons 52 in about thirty minutes. Thanks for the sweet potato pies.” He winked and walked out the door.
After freshening up, Tiffani strolled out of her office ten minutes later hoping for dear life that no one in the shop had heard them. Braxton’s latest jazz CD always played in the background at a low enough volume for people to converse but loud enough to drown out whatever noise came from the kitchen. And because her office was in the back of the kitchen maybe no one had heard her fanatical cries.
She stepped out and spotted Kendall at the cash register ringing up customers and Mindy placing some cupcakes in a to-go box. However, when she saw Blythe sitting on the window seat reading a romance novel and pursing her lips, she knew it was going to be a downhill conversation.
“Hey, girl.”
Blythe stood, placed the Brenda Jackson novel back on the shelf and took Tiffani by the hand. “Let’s step into my office for a chat.”
“Oh...okay, or we can go back to mine.”
“No, not right now. I don’t want to sit anywhere in your office.”
Tiffani gulped and looked around as Blythe pulled her out the door.
Once they made it to Blythe’s brightly orange-painted office in the back of her studio, she pulled out two wineglasses from a cabinet, opened a bottle of white zinfandel and poured some into each glass. She handed one to Tiffani and sat next to her on the couch.
“I’m sure you could use this right about now.”
“Its four o’clock in the afternoon,” Tiffani said, taking a sip.
“Yep, but it’s five o’clock somewhere and after what I just heard, you probably need something stronger. Heck, I need something stronger.”
Tiffani laughed so hard she snorted. “Girl... I don’t know what to say.”
“You said plenty not too long ago. Chile, my paint session had just ended and I was cleaning up when all of a sudden I hear a man’s deep, commanding voice and a screeching woman on the other side of the wall.”
“I wasn’t screeching.”
“Lies. Yes, you were. My assistant called me up front, and I glanced out the window to see a black Bentley parked on the curb.”
“No comment.”
Tilting her head, a concerned expression graced Blythe’s face and she patted Tiffani’s hand. “Are you back together or was it one of those breakup sex episodes?”
“You have to be in a relationship to break up. But no, we’re not back together, even though he wants to be, and I know what I said didn’t make any sense considering we weren’t in an actual relationship.” She set the wine down on the coffee table and leaned her head back on the couch.
“As long as it makes sense to you. I just know you’ve been moping around for the past week and now you’re glowing. He’s pulled out of the investment group so maybe there was some truth to what he said. The shortage of good, honest men is real. Don’t let him go because of miscommunication or lack of knowledge.”
Tiffani stood and stretched her sore body as the alarm sounded on her cell phone. It was time to leave to pick up KJ from his after-school tutorial session.
“Yeah, we’ll see. Thanks for the advice.” As she walked out, her mind was in a frenzy. She cared for Broderick a lot. No, she knew that was a big lie. She’d fallen in love with him, but she was scared of losing herself in another relationship, even though she couldn’t see herself without him.
Later on that night as she was drifting off to sleep, her cell phone beeped. Retrieving it from the nightstand, she squinted and saw a text message from Broderick.
Call me if you’re still up.
Why?
Because I want to hear your sweet, raspy voice in my ear.
Go to bed, old man.
I’m leaving in the morning for a trip to Arkansas. Some business associates I know want to open up a new casino and hotel. I’ll be gone for the next five days. You gonna miss me a little while I’m gone?
I’ll live.
Good night, beautiful.
Good night.
Chapter 12
Tiffani pulled the roasting pan out of the oven and set the turkey on the island next to the ham. Everything was officially ready for Thanksgiving dinner. KJ, who was overly excited, had assisted her in setting the table last night and had helped place the pineapples on the ham. Her guests were arriving at three for a four o’clock dinner. She had a couple of hours to shower and relax. Her eyes continued to glance at her cell phone. She hadn’t heard from Broderick since he’d told her he was going to Arkansas. She figured he was back in town, but she wasn’t sure if he was coming to dinner. Since their heated argument followed by the rendezvous in her office, they hadn’t spoken, which, in a way, was how she’d imagined her “be in the moment” relationship would be. However, now she missed him. Plus, she’d feel awful if he was all alone. That was why she’d invited him in the first place.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and pressed his name on the screen.
“Hey, Tiff,” Broderick answered on the thi
rd ring. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you. Are you back in town?”
“Yep. Got back last night. I was going to call you, but it was late.”
“No problem. Whatcha doing?”
“Nothing. Just getting ready to watch the game.”
“Oh yeah. I’m sure KJ is somewhere doing that. Um...so are you...”
“Mom,” KJ yelled out.
“Hold on. KJ is calling me.” She exited the kitchen and walked out into the living room. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s freezing all of sudden.” He rubbed his hands together.
“It is chilly in here. I’ve been in the hot kitchen all day. Turn the heat up.”
“I did, Mom. It’s on eighty degrees, but it’s blowing out cold air. It’s only warm upstairs.”
Tiffani walked around to all of the downstairs vents and placed her hand over them. The air was indeed cold. Each floor had its own heating unit and because the lower level wasn’t open-plan concept, the upstairs heat didn’t travel downstairs.
“Great, the downstairs heat isn’t working. I’ll go to the basement and check the furnace. Go put on a sweater.” She slapped her hand on her forehead when she remembered she was still on the phone. “Broderick, are you there?”
“Yep. Did you forget to pay the gas bill?” he joked.
“Not funny. I paid it. I don’t know why the heat isn’t working. I just changed the filter a few weeks ago.”
“When was the last time you had it serviced?”
Her face scrunched into a frown. “Um...never, I believe.” She sat on the bottom step in the basement and hugged her arms around herself. It was even colder down there.
“Is there a fireplace in your dining room?”
“No. I don’t have fireplaces in every room like you do. Only the family room and my bedroom. I guess I could move the dining room table in there, but the TV is in that room and the men wanted to watch the game.” Frustrated, she raked her hands in her hair and plopped her head on her knees.
“Tell you what. Just have your family come over here.”
Stunned, she lifted her head as she actually contemplated his offer. “Broderick...we can’t.”
“Why not? I have plenty of china, serving platters and utensils and a huge kitchen. Besides, I’ve never had a Thanksgiving dinner here. It could be fun. And maybe you’ll stop being mad me.”
“I’m not mad at you.” Where the heck did that come from? She was still upset. Right?
“Oh, so you do realize that I was telling the truth?”
Exhaling, she hated to admit the actual truth. So instead, she avoided the question.
“Thank you so much for the offer. That’s very nice of you, Broderick. I was originally calling you to make sure you were still coming to dinner. I would’ve hated if you were alone today.”
“I know. You’re a beautiful and loving person, Tiffani. Call your family and give them my address. I’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you for this and for the compliment.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
After calling Megan first, who offered to call everyone else so Tiffani could get ready to leave, she and KJ made it to Broderick’s mansion an hour later. The gate was already open and she parked by the kitchen door so she could carry in the meats. However, Broderick was waiting at the threshold to assist and suggested she and KJ go inside to get out of the cold.
“Wow, Mom. This kitchen is huge.” He turned around with his arms stretched out wide.
“Keith, put your arms down and stopping spinning before you get dizzy and break something.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He took his jacket off and handed it to her.
“Do I have to take my shoes off, too, like I do at Auntie Megan’s home?”
“Yes, take your things and hang them in the mudroom we just walked through.”
“Hey, sport,” Broderick said, strolling in with the box and setting it on the island. “Mom giving you a hard time?”
“Yeah,” KJ answered, walking back to the mudroom.
“So, I want to show you the room where Matilda stores all the serving stuff and whatnot.”
“That’s okay. I brought paper plates that look like real plates and other paper goods. They’re in the trunk.”
“Nonsense. This is our first Thanksgiving, and we’re using real everything.”
She tilted her head and twisted her lips to the side. Did he say our first Thanksgiving? She shrugged it off as she and KJ—who’d caught up with them—walked to a room off from the kitchen that contained shelves of china, glasses and serving platters and other entertainment items.
“Oh my goodness.” Her eyes widened at all of the gorgeous items. It looked as if she was in a mini Waterford or Mikasa warehouse. “Broderick, these things are too beautiful to use.”
“I like those plates,” KJ said, pointing to a set of china behind a glass case.
“Don’t touch anything, KJ.” She walked over to the set he had his eye on and gasped. “It’s Antique Lace by Mikasa,” she said quietly. It was the china she’d originally registered for, but when she’d shown it to Keith he’d hated it and told her to change to something more unisex. She’d been surprised because she thought men didn’t care about such things.
“Not sure what it’s called, but when I saw it in a catalog I thought it would be something my mother would like.” He shrugged, opened the case and handed Tiffani the plate. “Do you own it, as well?”
“No, no. It’s my favorite, though.”
“Perfect. We’ll use them. KJ, let’s finish picking out some glasses, utensils and napkins and then we’ll set the table. My staff is off until Monday so you can be my helper.”
“Cool.”
“KJ, please don’t break anything,” Tiffani said sternly.
“I won’t. Me and Mr. H. got this.”
Broderick patted KJ’s shoulder. “He’ll be fine. I promise. The serving bowls and platters that Matilda likes to use are in the butler’s pantry between the kitchen and the smaller dining room, which we’ll use today. If you need anything else just call me.”
“Okay.” She left the guys to set the table and retreated to the kitchen to start cutting up the meats.
A few hours later, the Chase and Monroe crew were seated around Broderick’s dining room table. Tiffani couldn’t believe that her family was actually there. First of all, she didn’t want anyone to think that she and Broderick were a couple because they weren’t. Yet they were being cordial and friendly with one another, almost like an old married couple. It felt odd to sit at the head of the table, but when KJ had grabbed her hand he led her to it, and pulled out the chair. When she’d sat down, she’d stared straight ahead into Broderick’s penetrating gaze at the other end of the table. A sneering grin had pulled up his left jaw followed by a wink.
After Braxton blessed the food, everyone dug in. Tiffani couldn’t help but glance every blue moon at Broderick, who was talking to Bryce and Steven about attending a golf tournament in the spring. Preston chatted with KJ about a few more video games he wanted him to test out. And the twins discussed their parents’ upcoming wedding anniversary dinner.
“Mom? Can we go around the table and say why we’re thankful? My teacher suggested it.”
“Is that okay with everyone?” Tiffani asked, hoping they’d entertain his request.
“Great idea, KJ,” Braxton answered.
“You start, Uncle Braxton, and we can go around the table and end with Mommy.”
“Sure. I’m thankful that I’m here with my family for dinner this year. Between running the club and going on tour, I don’t get to see you all as much as I would like to and I feel very blessed to be here now. Unfortunately, I have to leave in an hour because Café Love
Jones is open tonight. Um... Steven you’re next.”
“I promise to be brief. I’m truly thankful I’m here with all of you on this special occasion and that I’m home with my lovely wife, Megan. I hate leaving when Congress is session, but I love coming home to you.” Steven leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheek. “Your turn, baby.”
“Well, I’m thankful to announce that KJ will no longer be the only Chase child. We’re pregnant with twins!”
Tiffani and Sydney screamed and got up to hug Megan as the men shook hands with Steven. Broderick stepped out and returned with a cigar for Steven. After everyone settled down it was Sydney’s turn.
“Wow, I’m thankful I’m going to be an auntie to twins and I’m truly thankful that I’m not stressed at work anymore. I happily leave the GBI headquarters every day at five o’clock to race home to my hunk of a man. You’re next, counselor,” Sydney said to Bryce.
“First of all, I’m grateful for my gorgeous wife rushing home to me and I’m grateful my law practice is flourishing. Best decision I ever made, next to marrying Syd, of course. It’s on you, Broderick.”
Broderick was quiet for a moment as if he were contemplating. Tiffani gave him a sweet smile and a wink to encourage him.
“Wow, I have a lot to be thankful for, especially lately.” His eyes rested on Tiffani. “I’m thankful that my father and I finally have decided to take a leap and mend our relationship. I’m so grateful to Tiffani for encouraging me to do so. She’s been a true angel since she’s entered my life. Even though I know she doesn’t trust me at the moment because of some business-related issues, I truly hope that one day she realizes just how much I hate that she’s hurting. And I’m thankful for KJ for giving me a cool nickname.”
“Thanks, Mr. H.”
Everyone laughed, except for Tiffani, who sat frozen in her seat.
Broderick glanced to his left. “Preston, I believe you’re next.”
“I’m thankful to be here among family and new friends. Broderick, it’s very commendable of you to open up your home to our family at the last minute, and even though my sister is still on the fence, I like you so if she takes you back, don’t mess up.”