Interracial Desires: BWWM Multicultural Romance Box Set

by Tamara Black

  TEN

  Ty

  After the pregnancy and her recovery, she helped me develop some strains that won the Cannabis Cup. Our son, Jon, was the most beautiful person in the world. His skin was mixed, but it was like he had the best of both of us in his genes. As he grew up, we taught him about marijuana and how to use it responsible - like not smoking until after he turned twenty-one to protect his early brain development.

  Keisha was an amazing mother, wife, and all around woman. She truly made my life worth living. We had our disagreements, of course, but we spent a lot of time learning how we could communicate most effectively. Once the pot empire began to grow, I made sure she had equity in what she had helped build. I always joked that she was going to leave me someday when she had enough money. We had come a long way in twenty years.

  “How was your day?” I asked as I rocked on the front porch of one of our houses just east of the mountains.

  “Good. And yours?”

  “Better if you don’t bogart that joint.”

  She laughed, handing it to me. “Here you go. Is Jon bringing the grandchildren over for the weekend?”

  “He said so, but you know him.”

  “He’s turned out pretty well.”

  I turned to look at her, never tiring of seeing her face. “He had a good mother.”

  “And a good father.”

  We both settled into silence, ready to enjoy the next chapter of our life together.

  Snowed in With Love

  ONE

  Teona

  As a business professional, I worked hard to get to where I was in life. Being a woman made the journey to success even more difficult, but I persevered and was doing well at thirty years of age. While having lunch with my friend Theresa one day, I came to a decision that would change my life. I didn't know it at that time, but fate and destiny were both pulling me in a certain direction.

  “Happy birthday,” Theresa said then raised her glass of champagne.

  “Thank you.”

  I clinked my glass against hers then downed the bubbly liquid gold. Alcohol was never really a problem for me. During a brief period in college I had alcoholic tendencies, but I was able to open my eyes and see the destruction that it could bring to a life. Still, I enjoyed a little relaxation every once in a while. I certainly wasn't a prude.

  “It's been so long since we've hung out,” she said.

  “I know, I've been busy.”

  “Work, work, work. It's paid off for you.”

  “I guess.”

  “I just don't see why you don't try to enjoy your wealth more. You've earned it.”

  As I looked around the restaurant full of some of the richest people in Philadelphia, I wondered if she was right. I had worked hard. That was certain.

  “I'm content.”

  “Why be merely content, woman?”

  “I wouldn't even know where to go to relax.”

  “If I were you, I'd go to Colorado to a ski resort.”

  “Yeah? Why?”

  I took another drink as we waited for our desert.

  “Well, the hunky rangers, for one. I don't know, I just think it would be beautiful.”

  The waiter arrived with a tray full of deserts. We each picked one then dove in. I didn't eat a lot of sweets so that I could maintain my figure as I got older, but it was nice to indulge once in a while.

  “This is so good,” she said as she took another bite of the cheesecake.

  “Mine too.”

  I had opted for apple pie, which always reminded me of my mother and childhood. The ones I'd eaten as a kid weren't as fancy, but they had always been baked with love, which made them better in some way. Theresa wanted me to go out dancing with her after dinner, but I declined and went home alone. My condo was my castle.

  When I got back, I did get online and start looking into ski vacations in Colorado. I didn't ski, but I wanted to spend a week on the mountains alone in a cabin. That was my idea of rest and relaxation. A place called Elk Track caught my eye. Before I knew what I was doing, I had put down a deposit and bought plane tickets to Denver.

  Reviews for the place said the house contained a really good library, which is one of the reasons I picked it. Instead of bringing books of their own to read, guests brought one to leave behind and read ones that other travelers left. The idea seemed romantic to me, which is why I chose Elk Track even though it was secluded and expensive.

  At a thousand dollars a night, I would end up spending over ten grand altogether, but I hadn't had a vacation in nine years. I felt like I deserved a little time to relax and rejuvenate. The place was located West of Denver. My plan was to fly in then drive an SUV into the mountains. At some point, I would have to switch to a snowmobile to reach the secluded house.

  * * *

  The plane ride to Denver was routine if not slow because of security measures put in place. I rented a nice SUV and drove to the last civilized area. Once there, I got a snowmobile and headed to Elk Track, which would be my home for the next week. The house was already stocked with food and everything that I would need to survive for at least a week.

  I paid extra for them to remove all televisions and other electronics. My plan was to get away from everything for a while and just relax with my mind to keep me company. I wanted to read as much as I could. As someone who had climbed the corporate ladder quickly, I was exhausted and really needed to rejuvenate myself before I got serious about my thirties. I felt as if I was finally a woman.

  Elk Track was an amazing townhome. As soon as I entered, I knew the arduous journey was worth it. The cost to stay for a week also made a lot of sense. Beautiful and spacious, I moved from room to room as I tried to decide which of them I would claim for my own for the week. I had everything planned out, but I had included many long periods of nothing in the schedule.

  That first night, I made a fire in the fireplace and snuggled on the couch with Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence. I had brought Tar Baby by Toni Morrison to leave in the library. For some reason, I was drawn to the Lawrence novel. Love was the one thing that eluded me. All my success wouldn't mean much in the long run if I spent my entire life alone.

  Nestled comfortable in a really nice robe, I quickly got sucked into the story of Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen. Even though the townhome had four bedrooms, I never had to make a decision that first night because I fell asleep on the couch in the living room in front of the fire. The last image I saw was snow falling outside.

  TWO

  James

  I scanned the horizon briefly then continued on my snowmobile. My last stop for the day was my favorite. Old Tom Jenkins had been living in a cabin on the mountain for almost his entire life. After thirty years in the area, he was helpful to me as a Ranger and as a friend. We spent many nights drinking and telling stories together.

  After I reached his secluded cabin, I parked next to his snowmobile and headed to his front door. He answered almost immediately after I knocked the first time. His hair was disheveled, as usual, and his thick, full beard seemed to have gotten even longer since the last time I'd seen him. When he saw it was me, he motioned me in so that he didn't lose a lot of heat.

  “How you been, Tom?”

  “Can't complain,” he said. “I'm ready for the big storm.”

  “Big storm? What are you talking about? I haven't heard any alerts.”

  “Fuck them college kids with their machines and gadgets. A storm is coming.”

  “A big one?”

  “A storm of the century.”

  He settled into his rocking chair.

  “You want something to drink, you know where it's at,” he said.

  “I'm fine. Why do you think there's a big storm coming?”

  I sat down in an old, leather recliner across from him.

  “When you've been up here as long as I have, you learn how to listen to the Earth.”

  “You think the Earth is speaking to you, huh?” I chuckled.

  “Yes,
James, I do. You can laugh all you want, but it's going to get bad. In fact, if I were you, I would get headed down the mountain as soon as possible.”

  “Well, maybe I'll have a drink first. Got some tea?”

  “Sure, you know where it is.”

  He waved me toward the tiny section of the cabin that served as a sort-of kitchen. I put the kettle on the hot plate then wandered back over to sit down. Before I got to my seat, I noticed that it was snowing outside. The flakes were huge.

  “Wow, it's already started,” I said as I sat down.

  “I know. You don't believe me, but it's going to be bad. The worst we've had since I've been here.”

  “I believe you, Tom. I do. It's just that...”

  “You like to rely on all that technology you got. I understand.”

  It was his turn to laugh.

  “I listen to you too. You know that.”

  “You do. I'm just joshing you. I appreciate what you do to protect this mountain.”

  “And the people...”

  The kettle whistle filled the cabin. I rushed over and took it off the heating plate. I poured some of the water in a mug with a tea bag. As I walked back across the cabin, I dipped the bag in and out of the water a few times. Snow continued to fall outside.

  “So how many inches you think we're going to get?” I asked as I sipped at the tea.

  “Feet. Not inches.”

  My eyes widened. “You think it's going to be that bad.”

  “Yeah. As I said, if you want to get down the mountain, you better leave now. You don't want to be snowed in with an old coot like me.”

  For some strange reason, he winked at me. I brushed it off to him hitting the liquor all day.

  “I'm going to go. You sure you're okay?”

  “I'm ready. I just hope you're ready.”

  I gulped the rest of the tea then set the glass in his sink before I headed back outside. He gave me a last wave as the door shut. Outside, the sun was about an hour from setting, but it was already dark because of all the snow in the air. I trudged to my snowmobile and started it up. Soon, I was headed back down the mountain toward civilization.

  I quickly realized that what normally took an hour was going to take me a lot longer with all the snow coming down. Visibility was low, and I had to go slow to make sure I didn't run into anything. Getting trapped outdoors in a storm like this wouldn't be good.

  Luckily, I saw smoke coming out of the chimney at Elk Track, which meant someone was staying in the house. They might have a phone and be able to help me. If nothing else, I could ride out the storm until it settled down a little bit. As hard and fast that it was coming down, I was sure that it would let up quickly. In my ten years on the mountain, I'd never seen anything like it.

  I stopped my snowmobile about twenty feet away from the front of the house. As I walked up to the front door, I realized that a couple new inches had already fallen. If it kept snowing at the same rate, Tom might have been correct predicting feet rather than inches. I knocked loudly. Hopefully, the snow would stop in an hour and I could head the rest of the way down the mountain.

  THREE

  Teona

  I woke up to the sound of someone knocking loudly on the front door. What the fuck? I thought. I'd spent nearly ten thousand for some isolation and on my first night someone was bothering me. I stood up and made sure the robe was tied shut. When I opened the door, ready to yell, I was surprised to see a tall man standing outside in the cold.

  “Can I help you?” I asked, one hand still on the door so I could close it quickly if I needed.

  “I'm sorry to bother you. I'm a Ranger, and I was wondering if I might stay here for a bit.” He pointed to the sky. “It's really coming down out here, and I don't think I can make it to the bottom of the mountain.”

  “Sure, I guess. Do you have identification?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He reached into his coat and pulled out what looked to be proper identification.

  “Thanks, James. Come in. I'm Teona. I wasn't expecting company.”

  “Again, I'm sorry for intruding.”

  I wanted to tell him that I was spending over a grand a night for my privacy, but I didn't bring it up.

  “You want something to drink?”

  “Some coffee would be great,” he said as he took off his hat and coat near the door.

  “Come to the kitchen when you're done.”

  I walked to the kitchen then remembered I'd asked them to take away all the modern conveniences, including the coffee machine. James walked in as I checked the cupboards for instant coffee. Finally, I found a can.

  “All I have is instant.”

  “I would've figured a place like this would have a coffee machine at least.”

  “I asked them to take it out. I wanted to rough it.”

  He nodded. “Instant is fine. Thanks.”

  “No problem. It's really coming down out there right now.”

  “It looks like a bad storm, but I'm sure it's going to stop soon.”

  When I glanced at him, he didn't seem too sure of himself.

  “Well, you're welcome to stay here for a bit.”

  “Thanks. I feel bad for asking, but...”

  “It looks bad out there.” I interrupted then laughed. “You want something stronger maybe?”

  “No thanks. I'm still on duty, technically.”

  “So, what's a Ranger do all day?”

  I put a kettle full of water on the stove and waited for it to heat up.

  “A little of this and a little of that. Basically, I protect the mountain.”

  “Don't you mean protect the people?”

  “That too, but the mountain itself is also something I have to look after.”

  “It's so beautiful out here. I'm from Philadelphia.”

  “You come here often?”

  He sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Actually, this is my first time. I don't even ski.”

  “That's a shame.”

  “No, not really. I'd rather be curled up in here with a good book.”

  “How long are you staying?”

  “A week. I don't know if you know about this house, but...”

  “Yeah, the library thing. A couple of those books upstairs are ones I left.”

  “No way. Get out.”

  He nodded and smiled. A whistle filled the air, and I took the tea kettle off the burner.

  “Yeah.”

  “Which ones?”

  “Oh, I don't know if that's appropriate. That's part of the charm of the idea, right?”

  “Forget that, I want to know.”

  I looked over at him and smiled, the thousands I'd poured into dental care evident in each white tooth perfectly placed. After the mug was full, I added two teaspoons of the instant coffee mix and stirred briskly.

  “Well, you are being hospitable...”

  “Damn straight,” I said, sitting the cup down in front of him.

  I'm not sure if it was the wine I'd had earlier or what, but I was talking than I normally did at the office. Or was this the way I normally talked? The thoughts floated away as I could concentrate on was the fit and muscular mountain man sitting at the ornate wooden table.

  “Okay, the first one is by D.H. Lawrence...”

  “No way,” I interrupted as I sat down. “Women in Love?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That's the one I picked to read first. I love it so far.”

  We quickly fell into a conversation about the book. I poured myself another glass of wine, and he had more coffee. Before either of us realized it, more than an hour had passed.

  “Oh my,” I said as the grandfather clock in the other room struck eleven. “I didn't realize it was so late.”

  “I really should be going,” he said as he stood up. “I'm sure it's stopped snowing by now, and I can make it down to the town.”

  “Well, it was nice talking with you. Maybe I'll see you around this week?” I
asked.

  “Maybe. I mean, if you want me to stop by I can.”

  “I think I would like that.”

  He smiled, and I noticed his perfectly proportioned face. When he made it to the front door, he put on his boots, coat and hat. I watched from across the room, having one more glass of wine. Then I noticed that it was still snowing outside. Would he want to spend the night? I wondered.

  After he opened the door and saw how bad it was outside, he closed it immediately and turned around with a look of disappointment on his face. I walked over, wine glass in hand. He looked at me, and I could tell he was trying to figure out how to ask me to stay.

  “Do you just want to stay the night?” I asked. “There are plenty of rooms.”

  “Are you sure? I hate to ask, but it's coming down even worse out there. I've never seen anything like it.”

  “I'd feel terrible if I made you leave with it being so bad outside. I'm about to crash, but you're welcome to one of the rooms on the first floor if you want.”

  “You won't even notice I'm here.”

  “Well, I'm turning in. I'll see you in the morning?”

  “I may leave early if the snow breaks.”

  “Okay, but thinking about staying. I make a mean omelette.”

  As he took his coat and boots off again, I went upstairs to the largest bedroom. I closed the door then emptied the rest of my glass before setting it down on the nightstand by the bed. After taking off the robe and my bra, I got under the covers in just my panties. My head peeked out of the top of the covers as I continued to watch the snow fall outside. All I could think about was James, the hunky Ranger.

  FOUR

  James

  I didn't see a clock when I woke up, but I got out of bed and looked out the window. When I pulled the curtain back, I couldn't believe my eyes. The entire window was blocked by snow. Had it been snowing all night? I threw on my pants and t-shirt then headed to the living room to check the front door. I opened it and was shocked again when I saw it was completely blocked by snow.