Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  A spark of eagerness replaced the longing. “Some of the control you say I deny. You can do whatever you want to me.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Patrice’s heart did an unsteady rap behind her ribs. Anything she wanted. She wanted to hear her name on his lips. Watch his eyes roll to the back of his head. See his hands clench the arms of the chair. Kiss without him pulling away.

  “Anything?”

  “Within reason.” He shrugged and a wicked grin relaxed his handsome face. “Take your clothes off and find out.”

  Not quite a promise, but enough to make her clench the muscles of her sex. “Aren’t you going to take off your clothes?”

  “After you’re done.”

  Patrice considered the pros and cons. The only con was the cold, which the heat in his eyes quickly zapped away. She shrugged off her short, white leather jacket and let it fall to the floor. He raised a brow and nodded. Slowly she handled the buttons of her blouse. Cool air caressed her and goose pimples sprang over her skin. Her nipples puckered against the green silk of her bra. Patrice slipped the blouse off her arms, and the material landed on top of her jacket. Kareem’s dark eyes followed every movement. Despite the cold, heat sizzled in her veins.

  Her hands touched her bra’s front clasp. Kareem shook his head. “The pants first.”

  Her gaze dropped to the growing swell behind his zipper and mini tremors vibrated low in her stomach. “I thought I was in control.”

  “You can do what you want to me, after I watch you get naked.”

  Patrice removed one boot then the other. She went for the waistband and again he shook his head.

  “Turn around as you pull them down,” Kareem ordered, in a low deep voice.

  Turning her back to him, Patrice hooked her fingers in the waistband of her leggings. She glanced over her shoulder, then bent over to ease the black material down her legs. A breeze swept across the wet hairs between her legs, and she sucked in a breath. She eased one hip to the side then the other, letting the air caress her overheated slick folds. From between her legs she watched Kareem. His lips parted and nostrils flared watching her with eager bright eyes. She ran her hands up her legs and gradually stood. When she spun around the bulge in his pants had grown.

  The heat in his gaze singed her skin. Patrice unclasped the front of her bra, spilling her breasts. The hard chocolate tips jutted out, eager for attention.

  Kareem’s breathing came in shallow bursts. “Perfect,” he said, almost with awe. “Are you wet?”

  Her face heated and she nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good.” He sat up in the seat. “What do you want?”

  She cleared her throat and licked her lips, suddenly unsure of what her next move should be. “Take off your hoodie and your shirt.”

  He did, not as slowly as she’d removed her clothes. His flat nipples pebbled in the cold air. The muscles in his chest and abs jumped with each of his deep breaths. Strong arms strained with power and he clutched the chair.

  Patrice’s hands tingled. “I want to touch you.”

  He nodded. “Come touch me.”

  The tile balcony floor was cool beneath her hot feet as she shortened the distance between them. Patrice stood between his strong, wide legs and softly swayed her hips to the steady beat of the music playing from his phone. Shaky fingertips ran across his muscled shoulders. His skin was softer than cashmere over solid power and cool in the afternoon air. More scars from tiny cuts littered his chest. Each one made her ache for his pain. She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, enjoying the twitch of his muscle wherever her touch landed.

  “What else do you want?” he asked.

  “Are you hard?”

  A small chuckle rumbled through his chest. “I think that’s obvious.”

  “Let me see.” She licked her lips. “Pull it out.”

  She prepared to step back to give him room, but Kareem wrapped one of his feet behind hers. He eased down the zipper, and her throat tightened. The tendons in his hand flexed as he pulled the length of his arousal from the opening in his boxers.

  Her sex clenched, and her throat dried out, remembering how deep he would go and how much he made her shout out in pleasure.

  “Now what?” His voice held a hint of a challenge.

  “Jack it.”

  Hooded eyes widened before a sly grin spread his full lips. Kareem started with hesitant strokes, then he caught the slow rhythm of the music. Up and down, nice and easy until the head of his penis swelled and wept.

  “What do you want now, Neecie?” he asked in a tight voice. His nostrils flared. “Tell me.”

  His urgent tone pushed her forward. “I want to taste you.”

  Kareem’s eyes rolled back. “God, please do it.”

  It was the first time she’d ever heard Kareem beg. Her knees became putty, and she lowered until they pressed against the cold floor. She jerked his pants down. He helped her get them past his waist, and his hand went back to stroking. Pushing his hand to the side, she wrapped her fingers around his thick, hot flesh. Dark eyes bore into hers, and she kept eye contact as she eased him into her mouth. His skin was salty, and the potent smell of arousal infused her senses.

  “Like you want it, Neecie,” he ground out.

  Tightening her grip, Patrice took him deep and sucked hard on the way up. Kareem’s hands clutched the sides of the chair. His breaths ragged, and his leg shook. “God, yes, Neecie,” he said in a sex drugged voice.

  Patrice’s tongue played with the seam of the blunt head. Her other hand lightly stroked the heavy sack beneath. Her mouth and hand glided effortlessly over his rigid length, and she licked and sucked with eagerness. She watched Kareem’s mouth fall open. The desperate sweep of his tongue across his lips. The rise and heavy fall of his head as she pleasured him. Her nipples ached, and her core dripped in anticipation.

  He grew harder in her mouth. A hand shot out to jerk the beanie from her hair before his fingers dove into the thick curls, pulling her away from her work. “Ride me, Patrice.”

  She ran her tongue across the underside of his dick once more. Kareem trembled. “With pleasure.”

  Patrice straddled him and slowly eased all of his thick glorious cock into her wet center. Their gazes locked. Unyielding hands gripped her hips and slammed her down with a hard upward motion of his hips. Patrice gripped his wrists and shook her head. “Let me feel you.” She rotated her hips to the beat, felt Kareem deep.

  Her hands slid up his arms, shoulders, and finally cupped his face. Kareem met her slow hip rotations with small deep strokes. She clutched him tight. Long fingers dug into the soft flesh of her behind. He licked his upper lip, swiping across the scar.

  “Let me kiss you.”

  A slight hitch in his deep strokes hinted at his unease, but he nodded. Pulling him forward, her hands still cupping his face, she pressed her lips to his. The hair on his chest scratched her sensitive nipples. The erect bud of her clit brushed against the rough patch that surrounded his cock. Slow trembles started in her lower belly. Sliding her tongue across his lower lip, she tried to deepen the kiss, rotating her hips faster as her orgasm built. Kareem’s tongue darted out and met hers in a tentative dance. Her heart fluttered. Then his head fell back.

  “God, yes, Neecie!” His cock jerked and heat shot high inside of her.

  Her body shattered. Patrice bit her lip, swallowing her own shout and collapsed against Kareem’s chest, sated but still yearning for more.

  CHAPTER 22

  Lively conversation and big band music filled the Ritz-Carlton ballroom for the Charlotte Chamber’s annual silent auction. Kareem, in an all-black tuxedo that pronounced his sexiness, held Patrice’s hand where they stood next to one of the cocktail tables. She’d worn a sleeveless gold dress that swayed around her feet to match his tuxedo. Lad and Beth entertained them with the story about Lad’s surprise proposal. Seeing her sister so happy pleased Patrice, and Lad’s storytelling abilities were humorous, but Patrice�
�s cheek-aching grin came from Kareem’s hand clasping hers.

  Kareem squeezed her hand and stared at Lad. “You really got on the news and proposed during the evening weather report?” His deep chuckle unleashed an army of butterflies in Patrice’s stomach.

  Lad wrapped an arm around Beth’s shoulders and hugged her tight. “She watches every night and loves the weatherman. I decided if she’s going to drool over a weatherman then he might as well be me.”

  “Oh, Lad, you know I don’t drool over John Allen.” Beth playfully hit Lad’s shoulders.

  “Really, then you don’t care that he’s here tonight?” Lad asked.

  Beth’s eyes went wide and she leaned up on her tiptoes. “Where?”

  Lad laughed and kissed her cheek. “See what I mean?”

  Patrice and Kareem joined in the laughter. Patrice glanced up at the relaxed smile on Kareem’s face. He still held his secrets, but in the weeks since the balcony he’d seemed more open with their relationship. She just wasn’t sure if they were still pretending or not.

  Kareem turned his smile her way and love slammed her gut.

  Buzzing started in her ears. The air in her lungs burst out. Forcing more in seemed impossible. She loved him!

  Kareem’s brows drew together. “You okay?”

  Patrice blinked several times and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She picked the last piece of double chocolate cake off the plate on the cocktail table. “I probably shouldn’t have had that third piece of cake.” She shoved the last bit in her mouth, but this time didn’t savor the rich flavor.

  Grabbing her half-finished glass of champagne she downed the contents to force the cake past her dry throat.

  Worry filled Beth’s eyes. “They were small pieces. Nothing to get upset about.”

  Patrice waved a hand. “You’re right.” Kareem eyed her and heat filled Patrice’s face. Oh, God, I love him.

  Patrice fanned her face. “Is it a little warm in here? I’m going to the bar for some water.”

  Kareem shifted at her side. “I can get it for you if you’re not feeling okay.”

  “No, no, I’m good. Walking around will help.” She smiled at him, and he rubbed her chin with this thumb, his eyes searching and concerned. Even in a tux and clean-shaven, Kareem’s dark sexiness pulsed off him like sunbeams. Her love smacked her in the face.

  When did I fall in love with him? The when didn’t matter; the pain of when things ended scared her.

  “I’ll be right back.” She spun away and dashed through the throngs of people into the cooler lobby air.

  Patrice speed walked to the bar and clutched the polished wooden surface. “Ice water, please,” she nearly screamed at the bartender.

  A few people next to her stared with surprised glances. Patrice gave them tight smiles.

  A hand clasped her shoulder. Patrice jumped and spun around. Beth snatched her hand back and Patrice relaxed.

  “Oh, sorry,” Patrice said.

  Beth studied Patrice’s face, her lips pressed tight. “Are you okay? When you talked about the three pieces of cake and ran out …” Beth swallowed and leaned in. “I thought you’d relapsed.”

  Patrice frowned then Beth’s meaning hit. “Oh, Beth, you don’t have to worry. I’ve gotten over that particular weakness.”

  Beth slid into the space next to Patrice and rubbed her sister’s back. “You never want to do that again? Ever?”

  Patrice shrugged. “The first year was hard. I relapsed, but it got easier as time went on. I haven’t wanted to in nearly a year.”

  “Then why did you rush out? Your face, you had that same oh shit look you used to have before you … you know.”

  The bartender brought Patrice’s water. Patrice gripped the cool glass and took a long sip. “I had an oh shit moment, but it had nothing to do with the food.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Patrice opened her mouth to tell Beth, then snapped it closed. She was supposed to be in love with Kareem already. “Nothing, just worrying about things. And hearing you talk about your wedding plans. I don’t know, maybe I got nervous.”

  Kareem’s big, warm arm wrapped around her upper torso from behind. “Nervous about what?” His dark voice brushed against her ear.

  Patrice shivered and brought a hand up to his arm. She squeezed the hard muscles. “Wedding plans. Listening to Beth reminded me of all we have to do.”

  Kareem stiffened. He tried to pull his arm away but she held tight. “We’ll worry about that later.”

  “Right, later.”

  Beth watched the two of them with her head tilted to the side. “When are you going to set the date?”

  “Soon,” Patrice said. “I don’t want to steal any of your thunder.”

  “I don’t know, you two are doing that already,” Beth said, a sly twist to her lips.

  “How’s that?” Kareem asked.

  Beth leaned close. “Lad and I are crazy about each other, but we tend to keep things off the balcony.” Beth winked.

  Patrice’s jaw dropped. “Who saw?”

  “Fran, but I think she only complained because she was jealous.” Beth pushed away from the bar. “You and Johnny have fun.” She waved her fingers and glided away.

  “Johnny?” Kareem asked.

  She’d thought Beth was over that Dirty Dancing reference. “Inside joke.” Patrice covered her hot face with her hands. “Oh my God, my parents know about the balcony.”

  Kareem chuckled and nipped at her ear. “I think they already know we have sex.”

  “But not on a balcony,” she whispered, peeking between her fingers at the people next to them at the bar. Thankfully, no one paid attention to them, or at least they pretended they weren’t. Dropping her hands Patrice turned to face Kareem. He braced his hands on the bar on either side of her. “I can’t look my father in the eye ever again.”

  “Act like you don’t know they know, and I promise they’ll do the same.” Kareem leaned in, and the strength of his body tugged at her midsection. “And if we find a corner in this hotel I’d wouldn’t mind getting a chance to flip up your sexy skirt.”

  Patrice twisted her foot, and tingles traveled from her core up her spine. “We’re here to network.”

  The slow upward pull of his lips twisted her loving heart. “Networking isn’t on my mind right now.” He pushed away from the bar. “I’m going to the men’s room, wait for me here.”

  She nodded, and tried not to show her relief that he was walking away. She needed a moment to recover. Her heart beat so hard she feared her ribcage would fracture.

  “I’ll be here.”

  He ran a finger across her lower lip, and his brows drew together. He wanted to kiss her. She’d figured that out whenever he did the movement. She licked her lips and lifted her head. Kareem dropped his hand. “I’ll be right back.” His lip and scar quirked, and he walked away.

  Patrice turned back to the bar and considered ordering a shot of tequila.

  “Patrice, there you are.” Roland’s voice came from behind.

  Exhaling heavily, Patrice faced Roland. He’d spent the night catering to his girlfriend, Felicia, but now approached with a guy who was vaguely familiar. She left the bar and took the few steps to Roland.

  “Patrice,” Roland said, “let me introduce you to Wade Livingston. He just won the election for the open city council seat.”

  “That’s where I recognize you from,” she said, holding out a hand to shake Wade’s. “The television ads.”

  The tall, dark-haired guy gave her a winning smile and returned her handshake with a firm grip. “I hope that’s not the only reason you remember me,” Wade said with a good-humored laugh.

  She dropped his shake. “If I were registered in the area I would have considered voting for you, but I went home to South Carolina to vote.”

  Roland placed a hand on Patrice’s shoulder. “I told Wade about our plans to partner, and he wanted to meet you.”

  Patrice’s smile froze. Partner? S
he’d never agreed to that and knew Kareem would rather eat angry fire ants.

  “Our partnership?” she said in a questioning voice.

  Roland kept on smiling when she knew good and damn well he’d heard her hesitant tone. “Yes, in fact, many of my colleagues are intrigued by the idea.”

  She narrowed her eyes. She didn’t need the I told you so to emphasis on the words. “Wade, you’re welcome to come by and check out the space anytime. We’d love to have you as a customer.”

  “Excellent,” Wade said and waved at someone to their left. “Excuse me a second.”

  She stepped out of Roland’s reach and placed a hand on her hip. “Partnership?”

  He shrugged and raised he brows. “I thought we’d agreed on that.”

  “No, you brought it up, and Kareem and I decided against it.”

  “That’s news to me. After you both willingly accepted my help I figured we’d come to an agreement.” His brows furled over confused eyes. “My connection with Wade proves I can bring in the clientele you are searching for. The hints I’ve dropped with many of the businessmen I meet with on a regular basis have only resulted in more interest in your place.”

  “Kareem and I can do this on our own.”

  “Oh, really? Tell me how, Patrice.” Roland crossed his arms over his chest and stared down his nose.

  “He joined the chamber, and my father introduced him to many of his friends. Plus, we’re hiring a public relations firm to assist with the opening and marketing of this place.”

  “That’s not enough, and you know it. Your guy needs my help.”

  Patrice’s hands fisted against her hips. “My guy appreciates your help but doesn’t need it.”

  “What’s with you, Patrice? All I’m trying to do is help your dream succeed, and you’re giving me a hard time.” Roland took a step forward and placed a hand on her elbow. “I only want to make you happy.”

  An uneasy feeling went down her spine. “Roland, it’s not your job to make me happy.”

  “We were once engaged and loved each other. I know we’re not those same kids, but there’s enough affection left to want to see the other do well. I stood aside and ignored your needs before. I want to make things up to you.”