Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  The DJ grinned and nodded. “Sure do, man. Any requests?”

  Kareem mentally flipped through the various songs he liked that Neecie might appreciate. “‘Is this Love.’ Bob Marley?”

  “I got you,” the DJ said, pointing a finger.

  He stepped away from the DJ booth and went back to watching Neecie and her ex on the dance floor. He slid his hands into the pockets of his pants, tapped his toe in his shoe, and waited for his song to play.

  Joshua lumbered over with two other boys at his side. The teenagers reeked of marijuana, their boldness shocking Kareem. One of the boy’s blue eyes was red-rimmed, going against his Richie Rich blond hair and good looks. The other boy had darker hair, and red also sported his green eyes.

  “Hey, guys, this is my soon to be new uncle,” Josh said. “The one I told you about.”

  The blond kid grinned. “We’ve heard good things about you. Maybe you can help us with our plan.”

  Kareem raised a brow. “What plan?”

  The darker-haired kid elbowed the blond guy. “Shut up. You guys can’t keep your mouths closed about anything.”

  Instead of elbowing back the blond kid chuckled, and Joshua joined in. Kareem scrutinized the three teens and shook his head. “Sounds like trouble.”

  Joshua tugged on the front of his pants and gave a shrug. “Only if you get caught.”

  The blond one chuckled. “And if we do, once we say our names we’re good.” The boy and Joshua gave each other a high five.

  Watching the three idiots was like watching bad replay of Kareem’s teenage years. “Don’t do anything stupid, Joshua.”

  Joshua smirked. “Yeah, whatever.”

  Kareem balled his hands into fists. He wanted to smack some sense into the boys, but what use would it serve other than feeling really damn good. Joshua was Chad’s problem, not his. Pivoting away from the chuckling knuckleheads, Kareem headed back to the dance floor.

  He tapped his hand on the outside of his leg and checked his watch. His stomach hurt more than it had the night he’d been arrested. Going to jail and dancing with Neecie both made his nerves stretch like taut wires. On the dance floor, Roland ran a hand down Neecie’s back to rest on her waist. She stepped back, putting more space between them, but the smile never left her face.

  Neecie looked right at home in Roland’s arms. Kareem’s eyes narrowed, and a vision of Roland kissing Neecie filled his head. Roland would have kissed Neecie that afternoon in the garden, not panic because he didn’t want her to realize kissing made him uncomfortable.

  The sounds in the room faded, and the corners of his vision blurred. The air seemed to thin and Kareem sucked in several breaths, but his throat wanted to close up. He shifted from foot to foot and pulled on his collar.

  “This next song is a request,” the DJ’s voice boomed.

  Kareem blinked and took a deep breath. The room came back into focus, and he registered the sounds of Bob Marley playing. A few enthusiastic mummers rose from the crowd. Kareem locked eyes with Neecie. With purposeful strides, he broke through the crowded dance floor. Kareem eyed Roland, who dropped his hand from Neecie’s waist and stepped back. Good, the guy knew what was best for him.

  The smile on her face slowly drifted away. Kareem’s brows drew together. He wanted her smiles, needed her sunshine.

  When he reached her, questions swam in her eyes. Was he angry? Had she done something wrong? If only she knew he’d done wrong by letting her go on the floor with Roland instead of him. Kareem slid his arm around her waist and pulled her soft body against his. Neecie sucked in a breath; the questions gave way to something else, and her lids lowered.

  Small hands clasped his arms right above the elbow then slowly traveled up the rigid muscles of his biceps to finally rest on his shoulders. Kareem caught the rhythm of the music and swayed her gently from side to side. Stretching fingers across the span of her hips, he brought her forward and guided her movements with his.

  The corners of her full lips tilted up in a sensual smile. His heart bumped heavily. Tightening her arms around his neck, Neecie brought her warm body closer. Her hands gently tugged one of his dreads from the band. With a slight tug she pulled him closer into the safe circle of her body. Locking eyes, Kareem lowered his forehead to rest on hers. The sweet fragrance of her perfume, mingled with the smell of her sweat, heated his blood.

  As they swayed to the music, her hips pressing forward, his cock stirred and swelled. Kareem wished he knew the right words to tell her what he longed for. How if he were the type of man she wanted he’d kiss her softly, hold her hand, and make love through the night. But as the music played, and her breasts pressed against the hardness of his chest the darker side of him stirred. The side that wanted her pinned beneath him. The side that wanted to hear her cry out his name and submit to his desires. The side that wanted to seduce away her sweetness and hear dirty words come out of her pretty mouth while he drove in and out of her without holding back.

  Kareem gripped a handful of her dress at the small of her back. Neecie’s lips parted with a silent sigh, and she trembled. Her soft brown eyes turned urgent. She lifted her head, and the tip of her tongue edged along the pink seam of her lower lip. The move was an unmistakable invitation. Kareem went with what felt natural and brushed his lips across hers, a quick taste that jolted his system. Neecie pressed closer, almost as if she’d dissolve into him.

  Tilting his head to the side, Kareem raised a brow. He’d promised her tonight, and he wanted her now. Patrice jerked her head up and down once. As the last bars of the song filtered in the air, Kareem kept a hand on her waist and ushered his woman off the dance floor.

  CHAPTER 14

  Kareem didn’t bother to be polite or apologetic as he pulled Neecie through the crowd and down one of the halls off the main floor of the clubhouse. He could take her back to her parents’, but that required waiting for the valet to bring the car. Right now his hardening cock wasn’t big on being patient.

  He strode down a hallway marked “Employees Only,” his hand firmly around Neecie’s waist. She didn’t play silly and ask where they were going or what was he doing. That was one of the things he liked about Neecie. She didn’t play coy, and she understood what was up. The hall ended with a pair of double doors labeled “Conference Room.” Kareem tested the knob, which easily twisted.

  Gently Kareem placed his hand on her lower back and pushed Neecie inside. With a final click, he closed and locked the door. Neecie approached the wood table visible in the silver slits of light filtering through the blinds. Wide, unquestioning eyes met his. Kareem’s skin tightened, suddenly unsure. She trusted him, wanted him, and he didn’t want to hurt her. The need to fuck her battled with his desire to make love. Tremors raced through his taut muscles. He clenched his fists to keep from groping her.

  Neecie stepped forward and reached for him. Kareem’s heart jumped, and he stepped back. “Take off your dress.”

  Her brows drew together. “I thought—”

  “We are, but first I want to see you naked.” He tried to keep his voice calm, to hide how much he wanted to pounce on her.

  Kareem held his breath. Slowly her hands removed the belt then lifted the skirt of the dress. Seconds felt like hours while she pulled the dress up and over her head. His breathing echoed like screams in the quiet room as she revealed softly rounded curves. The dress fell quietly to her feet, leaving only air and lacy, black underwear between him and Neecie’s curvaceous body.

  Kareem’s control snapped. In one long stride he closed the distance between them. Her arms opened. She lifted her head and eyes fluttered closed. Spinning her around, Kareem wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his hard dick into her soft behind. Hungry lips latched onto the sweet skin of her neck.

  An excited gasp escaped her mouth. One of her arms reached up to grasp his head; the other clutched his pants above his thigh. Kareem’s hands roamed over every one of her silken curves, palming her tits until her hard little nipple
s teased the palms of his hands. His mouth watered, and he sucked on the side of her neck, an image of pulling her nipples between his lips flashing in his head. Soon, he’d do that soon enough. One hand slashed across the gentle curve of her stomach. Her legs widened, and he grinned into her neck. Eager little thing.

  Kareem gripped one of her hips instead. The perfect anchors to an ass he’d watched sashay across his barber shop too many times. The hand on her hip jerked her backwards, and the other pinched her nipple.

  “Ahhh yes,” Neecie cried out.

  Her head fell to the side, and Kareem ran his tongue down then up her throat. The salty sweet tang of her skin tightened his balls almost to the point of pain. Neecie jerked at the twist of his dreads. His scalp pulled, and they tumbled around them. Her fingers plunged through the thick locks.

  Hell fucking yeah, she wanted this hard. Kareem jerked down the front of her lacy bra. Material ripped, and his cock jumped. Looking over her shoulder, he wished for more light to see the tempting bounce as her tits fell free. He filled his hands with the pliant mounds, pinching her nipples until she moaned and twisted against him. She jerked, and his hand slipped. Kareem nipped her shoulder.

  A long moan escaped her. “Again, do that again.”

  Kareem’s heart jackhammered his ribcage. “You like that.”

  “I dream about that.” Her voice was a low, erotic moan.

  Kareem placed one hand around her neck and pressed her into his body. The other plunged down the front of her skimpy panties. God in heaven she was so fucking wet! Spreading her soaking lower lips Kareem sank two thick fingers knuckle deep into her pussy. “What about that?”

  Her hand on his thigh clenched. “Ahhh, yes!”

  Kareem eased his fingers out then pushed back in. “Too deep?”

  Patrice bucked and moaned. Her hard swallow pressed against his hand at her throat, and the thin slivers of light revealed the bounce of her breasts with every heaving breath. “Not deep enough.”

  A shudder rocked him. He turned her head and grazed the tip of her ear with his teeth. “I can go a lot deeper.”

  “Please do,” she said in a trembling, sexy plea.

  The erratic beat of her pulse played against the tips of his fingers around her neck. She was his. Wet, hot, and ready for the taking. “Tell me to fuck you.”

  Patrice’s mouth fell open and her tongue played in the corner. Her eyes opened to slits and met his over her shoulder. A warm palm left his thigh to caress his aching hard on. “Make love to me, Kareem.”

  If only he knew how. He closed his eyes and removed his fingers from the sweet slickness between her thighs. In a quick movement he ripped the lace of her panties and spread her legs further.

  “That’s not what I said.” Using the flats of his fingers he lightly slapped her swollen clit.

  The hand at his cock tightened. “Kareem!”

  “Don’t make me punish you.” He slapped her sex again. Each wet smack sent an answering twitch to his groin.

  She twisted and pushed her hips forward. Kareem visualized what he couldn’t see. How each light hit would cause the nub to grow and swell. He sucked in a breath, intoxicated by the smell of her desire.

  Smack. “Say it.” Smack.

  The twisting of her hips grew frantic. “Kareem, shit, yes!” She clutched his dick so tight shots of pleasure and pain jolted up his spine.

  “Ohh, I love it when your pretty mouth says dirty things.” He slapped her slippery center harder. “Say it, Neecie,” he damn near growled against her ear.

  “Fuck me, Kareem!”

  Kareem pushed her forward and bent her over the conference room table. One hand spread her legs wide; the other ripped open the button on his pants. His hand trembled with the burning anticipation to bury himself in her sweet heat. Kareem sucked in a breath and bit his lip. Control, he needed to keep some control.

  Patrice popped her ass backwards and stared at him with narrow, desire-fogged eyes. Kareem froze. This was Neecie. She was sunshine, happiness, and sweetness. And he’d turned her into his horny sex toy.

  Guilt scratched at the edge of his reason. Neecie pushed back and brushed her butt on the dripping tip of his dick. He’d worry about the consequences tomorrow. Pulling a condom from his back pocket he ripped the foil packet open, rammed the thin latex on, grabbed her curvy hips, and slammed into her.

  Patrice slapped the table. “Oh my God, yes!”

  Kareem bit his lower lip to keep from crying out. Slick wet walls sucked him deep and cradled him in scorching heat. Grabbing her hips Kareem gave her what she wanted. No holding back, no sense of control, he just drove in and out of the place he could spend eternity. At first she took the thrusts, but soon she moved with him. Pushing back whenever he pushed forward. Taking him further and further until the heavy sac of his balls slapped the underside of her sex.

  This was what he promised. Rough and hard. No softness or sweet words. Bending her over sent a rush through him. She called out his name; he controlled her pleasure.

  Her climax came quick. “Oh, God, yes, oh, God, yes!” she chanted over and over.

  Her tight walls seized, pulling him in and clenching tight. His skin tightened then exploded. An orgasm more powerful than he’d ever experienced drained him dry. Patrice collapsed forward, arms spread eagle and hair covering her face. The table’s glossy surface fogged with each heavy breath. Kareem quickly pulled out and stepped away, watching her try and regain her senses. He grinned.

  The doorknob rattled. Kareem tensed and swiveled around. A muffled curse came from the other side and the footsteps drifted away.

  “We’re going to get caught,” Neecie said, pushing up on her forearms.

  “They left,” he said. “But we better get out of here.”

  The near interruption broke his moment of triumph. What was wrong with him? Bringing her in here and bending her over the table like some hoe from the club. He could have waited for the car and slept with her in a bed. Instead he’d used her. Pulling her away from the dance floor and dragging her in here without bothering to be discreet or hide what was on his mind.

  Neecie finally stood and glanced at him over her shoulder. He turned away. He removed the condom, wrapped it in one of the tissues from a box next to the door, and threw the wad in the trash. As he zipped up his pants a wave of shame prickled his skin. He hadn’t bothered to even take off his clothes.

  Neecie’s soft body pressed against his back. Kareem jerked out of her embrace. When he faced her, pain replaced the trust from earlier. Shit, I’m screwing with the wrong girl.

  “So … what, I can’t hug you?” She tried for lighthearted, but there was discomfort in her tone.

  “I don’t like to be hugged. Or surprised.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. Her bra barely covered her breasts thanks to his eagerness to get the thing off. Her panties were nonexistent. Seeing her half-naked only made him want to bend her over again.

  She scoffed. “Or kissed.”

  Kareem clenched his jaw. She noticed. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.”

  He jerked his head toward the door. “Do you want to go back to the party?”

  “No.”

  Good, because he didn’t either. “Put on your dress. We’re going back to the house.”

  “Why, so you can ignore what we just did like last night?” Neecie spun around and snatched her dress off the floor.

  His stomach clenched. That had been the plan. Forget what he’d done and try to make things better tomorrow.

  Scowling, Kareem stalked over and hauled the dress out of her hands. Her eyes darted to him before they jerked away. Her body trembled, and damn if he didn’t get excited. I’m such an asshole.

  Bunching up the material of the dress, Kareem slid the garment over her head. “We’re going back to the house so I can have sex with you again.” Her bright eyes jerked to his. He took a step forward, and she stepped back. “And again.” He stepped forward. She stepped
back. “And again.” He stepped forward. Her foot slid backwards. Kareem grabbed her waist and jerked her body against his. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  She shook her head, and her eyes flared with interest. “No.”

  He lightly slapped her behind. “Good. Now hurry up and finish getting dressed before whoever that was comes back.”

  Her sunshine smile brightened the room. His chest filled with warmth. He was an asshole, but if she wanted more he was powerless to stop.

  CHAPTER 15

  Patrice grinned and stretched out in the bed. Morning sunlight filled the room with a cheery glow that matched her mood. Patrice reached out for Kareem on the other side of the bed. Cool, empty sheets met her hand. Her contented smile withered away. She pushed back the thick covers and sat up, scanning the room for Kareem and seeing only empty space.

  Disappointment dimmed her mood. She tried to push the feeling aside. Just because they’d gone at it like porn stars the night before didn’t mean he would be waiting for her with breakfast and roses the next morning. Like the leading role in a porno, he’d disappeared. Patrice pushed back the covers and trudged across the room to the bathroom.

  Stiff, long untouched muscles protested and she stretched her arms and lower back to release the tightness. Despite being upset Kareem wasn’t there, the memories from the night before brought back her smile. Having sex like a porn star had definite perks.

  Patrice used the bathroom then went to the sink to wash her face. She splashed cold water on her eyes and shivered at the instant invigoration. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, Patrice gasped. She grabbed a handful of her frizzy hair, pulled it behind her head, and leaned into the mirror. Dark marks lined her neck, shoulders, and chest. Each discoloration brought a memory of the exact nip, bite, and suck of Kareem’s eager lips against her skin. Her free hand ran across a large mark above her breast and stabs of heat raced up her neck and spread to the cheeks.

  I love your tits. Kareem’s rough declaration before he’d done that then lapped at her nipples rang through her head, a phrase that would have turned her off if any other man had spoken the words. Her fingers trailed down to her nipple hardening beneath the thin material of the tank top Kareem insisted she put on after shivering in her sleep. Wetness slipped between her legs, and her eyes fluttered closed. The images of Kareem played in her head. The way he held her, dominated her, made her talk dirty and beg for more. The hand in her hair pulled the thick strands, reminding her of the way he’d tugged while plunging in and out from behind.